The 2022 seasonal service for the Ocracoke Express passenger ferry ends Wednesday, early than scheduled because of the weather forecast for the Outer Banks Thursday through the weekend.
North Carolina Department of Transportation officials made the announcement late Wednesday afternoon.
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With the remnants of Hurricane Ian expected to pass to the west, a stalled front offshore, and a strong high pressure system to the north, strong winds and heavy rain are forecast for much of eastern North Carolina throughout the weekend.
The passenger ferry service had been scheduled to end Friday.
Because other ferry routes will likely be impacted as the weather deteriorates, travelers should check the status of their ferry on ncferry.org under the heading Current Conditions, or phone their route’s terminal office before arriving.
Initial figures show the passenger ferry service performed well this season, which was the service’s first official season with a state-owned vessel. More than 25,000 people used the Ocracoke Express since it’s opening day May 17, officials said.