The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division has awarded contracts for the construction of two new vehicle ferries that will replace older, smaller vessels. The two new river class ferries, tentatively named the M/V Avon and the M/V Salvo, will have upgraded technology and increased capacity.
“We are trying to replace the Hatteras-class boats which only hold about 26 vehicle spaces with bigger river class boats that carry about 40 vehicle spaces," said Tim Hass, spokesperson for the NCDOT Ferry Division. "That increase in capacity will help us especially during the busy season in the summer.”
The new vessels will replace the M/V Kinnakeet and the M/V Chiamacomico, which will be more than 30 years old by the time they go out of service. The new ferries will be delivered in 2020, and Hass said they’ll most likely sail the Hatteras to Ocracoke and the Cherry Branch–Minnesott Beach routes.
