Public Radio For Eastern North Carolina 89.3 WTEB New Bern 88.5 WZNB New Bern 91.5 WBJD Atlantic Beach 90.3 WKNS Kinston 88.5 WHYC Swan Quarter 89.9 W210CF Greenville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New Vehicle Ferry Sets Sail Soon

NC Ferry System Facebook

The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division plans to replace an aging coastal ferry with a new, larger vessel.  The M/V Rodanthe, which can carry about 40 vehicles at a time, will require fewer trips between Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. 

Construction on the vessel is complete and is awaiting inspection and sea trials.  The M/V Rodanthe replaces the 24-year-old ferry, the Thomas A. Baum, said Tim Hass, spokesman for the NCDOT's Ferry Division. 

 “We’ve had to take a longer route for the last few years because of the shoaling issues that are there.  Well, a longer route means fewer trips.  And when you have the smaller boats, for instance the Baum, which this boat is replacing, only carries 26 vehicle spaces.”

Hass said the new vessel will almost double the carrying capacity of the Baum, which carried more than 600,000 passengers on the Hatteras-Ocracoke route in 2017. Construction on the M/V Rodanthe ferry began in early 2018.  The vessel will go into service in April or March.

Jared Brumbaugh is the Assistant General Manager for Public Radio East. An Eastern North Carolina native, Jared began his professional public radio career at Public Radio East while he was a student at Craven Community College earning his degree in Electronics Engineering Technology. During his 15+ years at Public Radio East, he has served as an award-winning journalist, producer, and on-air host. When not at the station, Jared enjoys hiking, traveling, and honing his culinary skills.