The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division will participate in a planned Homeland Security exercise at the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route beginning at 7:30 a.m., Thursday, July 12.

The exercise will not interrupt ferry service.

The NCDOT Ferry Division will join with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Transportation Security Administration VIPR Team, Dare County Sheriff’s Department, Hyde County Sheriff’s Department, Dare County Emergency Management, U.S. Coast Guard Sector North Carolina and crews of the assigned vessels, to engage in an exercise designed to enhance security at the Hatteras ferry terminal and south dock ferry terminal on the Ocracoke side.

This is an exercise in which local and federal agencies work together to supplement existing security resources. This program has been implemented at various transportation modes and facilities across the nation over the last few years.

It is not taking place in response to a threat, but rather as a learning exercise to assist in making North Carolina ferries safe for the traveling public.