UPDATE: The “Martha’s Vineyard Express” was spotted at the Hatteras village ferry docks on Monday afternoon before it departed at around 3 p.m. for one of the first of many test runs to Ocracoke Island. Per Tim Hass, NCDOT Public Relations Officer, the passenger ferry will make a number of test trips along the Hatteras-Ocracoke route over […] Local News | Full Article
The 36th annual Ocracoke Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament was one for the records as anglers in 70 teams caught the most fish ever over the two-day event May 2 to 3. The tournament total for points by the end of the Friday morning session had already surpassed any previous numbers—700 fish caught for more than […] Fishing | Full Article
Ocracoke should have a passenger ferry this year starting May 24, thanks to a lawmaker friend in Raleigh. John A. Torbett (R-Gaston) said Wednesday night that while in budget meetings Tuesday, Secretary of the Department of Transportation James Trogdon said he would pay for leasing a passenger ferry from May 24 to Sept. 22 out […] Local News | Full Article
Although work has resumed building the “Ocracoke Express” passenger ferry, the N.C. Ferry Division is looking into the possibility of a rental boat for the upcoming visitor season. N.C. Ferry Division spokesman Tim Hass said Friday (March 29) that work stopped on Feb. 19 after a report from Elliott Bay Design Group, Seattle, Wash., who […] Local News | Full Article
If all goes according to plan, Ocracoke will have several new public restrooms this year on the Island Inn property. The Ocracoke Occupancy Tax Board in December allocated $141,000 from its reserve fund to the Ocracoke Preservation Society, which purchased the Island Inn last year with the intent to preserve it for the community. Ocracoke’s […] Local News | Full Article
Pat Garber and an assistant gently lifted the Kemps Ridley turtle into the back of a truck for transport to the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. The turtle, a critically endangered species, had been stunned by the cold ocean waters and was beached at the […] Hatteras Features | Full Article
Several first-timers were among about 45 kids and adults of all ages Tuesday afternoon for Ocracoke’s version of the Polar Plunge at the airport beach off Ramp 70. As kids ran around the beach in their bathing suits and swimmers gathered for a group photo, air temperatures in the upper 60s and an ocean temperature […] Ocracoke Island Features | Full Article
By CONNIE LEINBACH THE OCRACOKE OBSERVER The Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (NEST) is seeking volunteers interested in helping patrol for and/or transport sea turtles that wash up on the shore during the fall and winter months. NEST will be holding an informational meeting with training 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, in the Ocracoke Community […] Local News | Full Article
By Connie Leinbach The Ocracoke Observer In 300 years since his demise, Blackbeard has become the best-known pirate in history, and the popularity of recent Hollywood movies has created a fanatical interest in the man and his times. Numerous books and competing histories vie for the definitive Blackbeard story: Was he born in the colonies […] Hatteras Features | Full Article
The Ocracoke Preservation Society has received a $15,000 grant from The Outer Banks Community Foundation to stabilize the Odd Fellow Lodge section of the Island Inn. That original building is all that remains after the nonprofit demolished the two wings recently as part of the OPS’s plan to save the property for community purposes. Stabilization […] Local News | Full Article
