36 JULY 2017 • FOGHORN MEMBERNEWS Passenger-only ferry service between barrier islands Hatteras and Ocracoke in coastal North Carolina is a major step closer to reality. The N.C. Department of Transportation awarded a $4.15 million contract to Armstrong Marine Inc. of Port Angeles, Washington, for construc- tion of a 98-passenger catamaran- style ferry. The vessel will be built at Armstrong Marine’s eastern shipyard in Swansboro, NC. “Although we’ve been laying the groundwork for quite some time now, this contract officially puts the passenger ferry project on the public’s radar,” said Interim Ferry Division Director Jed Dixon. “We are hoping that by this time next year, direct passenger ferry service to Ocracoke Village will be up and running.” The passenger-only ferry will allow passengers to disembark on Ocracoke Island. From there, visitors will be able to navigate Ocracoke Village on foot, bicycle or golf cart, or catch a new shuttle service that Hyde County will be providing in conjunction with the passenger ferry. The new ferry service will supplement the Ferry Division’s existing car ferries, and is designed to ease summer traffic congestion on the popular route. According to a report in the June 2 edition of the Virginian-Pilot, a 2016 study recommended riders on the passenger-only ferries pay a $15 fee for a round-trip ticket. Vehicle ferries are free. A survey showed people would pay for a quicker ride to Ocracoke village without having to wait in line, for the vehicle ferry as frequently occurs now. A passenger ferry would reach Ocracoke Village in about the same time as a vehicle ferry reaches the north docks about 15 miles away, the Virginian-Pilot reported. According to newspaper reporter Jeff Hampton, “Officials hope to boost the economy of tiny Ocracoke Island, where the tourism business has fallen by an estimated 25 percent in the past three years. “Riders on the route to Ocracoke have fallen to 815,000 a year from more than a million since the early 2000s. Much of the decline has come in the last three years when shoaling in Hatteras Inlet forced the ferries to a longer route. Now it takes an hour instead of 40 minutes, forcing a reduction in the number of daily trips.” Much of the project funding comes from a Federal Lands Access Program grant. The grant also covers infra- structure improvements at Hatteras and Ocracoke that will accommodate ferry passengers. Under the terms of the contract, Armstrong Marine is expected to deliver the new ferry by April 2018. n North Carolina DOT Awards Contract to Armstrong Marine to Build New Ferry JULY 2017 • FOGHORN 37 MEMBERNEWS FLAGSHIP MARINE MARINE 5/3/07 Commercial Marine A/C by Flagship Marine www.flagshipmarine.com Flagship Marine, Inc. sales@flagshipmarine.com Phone: 772-283-1609 Fax: 772-283-4611 Watts: 800-316-6426 Stuart, Florida - USA 30 TON Chiller Variety of Air Handlers including this 12 inch tall 36000 BTU unit Copyright © 2007 Donnelly Advertising & Publishing No expensive proprietary printed circuit boards !!! Lowest Long Term Maintenance Cost in the Industry! 3 TON Self Contained "Since 1995" Lowest Long Term Maintenance Cost in the Industry ! No Expensive proprietary printed circuit boards !! 3 Ton Self Contained 30 Ton Chiller "Since 1995" Variety of Air Handler Units in both chilled water and split systems including this 12" tall 36000 BTU Unit Flagship Marine, Inc www.flagshipmarine.com sales@flagshipmarine.com Phone 772-283-1609 FAX-772-283-4611 800-316-6426 Stuart - FL- USA Commercial Marine HVAC by Flagship Marine