Ferry schedule changes

I received the following press release in email today and thought I would post it here since it may be of interest if you are planning to visit the island. There's also some info. about the Cherry Branch ferry route in case you're planning a trip to that part of the state...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Jan. 22, 2009
CONTACT: Lucy Wallace (252) 473-3461

*Please note that the time change from Minnesott Beach - the 8:15 p.m.
departure is changed to 8:30 p.m. not a.m. as previously released

FERRY DIVISION ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO SOME OF ITS ROUTES

MANNS HARBOR — The N.C. Department of Transportation's Ferry Division
has made changes to its Cherry Branch, Cedar Island, Ocracoke and Swan
Quarter routes. The adjustments are being made in order to meet U.S.
Coast Guard requirements of no more than a 12-hour work shift per day,
per crew member, per vessel.

The schedule changes at Swan Quarter, Cedar Island and Ocracoke routes
went into effect Jan. 21 and will last through May 18, when the
heaviest tourist traffic begins. The adjusted schedule for Cherry
Branch will become effective Monday, Jan. 26 and will be year-round.

Departures from both Cedar Island and Ocracoke are 7:30 a.m., 10:30, 2
p.m. and 5.
Departures from Swan Quarter are 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and from Ocracoke
7 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The following runs at Cherry Branch have been stopped:


3:35 p.m. from both sides;
5:15 p.m. from Cherry Branch;
5:45 p.m. from Minnesott Beach;
8:45 p.m., 10:45 p.m. and 12:45 a.m. from Cherry Branch; and
9:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. and 1:05 a.m. from Minnesott Beach.


Time changes to the Cherry Branch schedule include:


the 3:15 p.m. run from both sides will now depart at 3:25 p.m.;
the 9:45 p.m. from Cherry Branch is changed to 9:30 p.m.; and
the 11:45 p.m. run is changed to 11:30 p.m..
From Minnesott Beach, the 8:15 p.m. departure is changed to 8:30 p.m. and the

10:15 p.m. changed to 10:30 p.m.

For a complete look at the 2009 schedules go toncferry.org or
call 1-800-By-Ferry to hear the updated times.