Grounded Trawler Causes Monday Ferry Delays on Ocracoke Island; Schedule Back to Normal Tuesday

A 75-foot trawler ran aground in Bigfoot Slough on early Monday morning, blocking the ferry channel outside of Ocracoke’s Silver Lake Harbor, per the NCDOT North Carolina Ferry System.  

As a result, ferries heading to and from Ocracoke’s Silver Lake Harbor were unable to get in or out, and Monday’s 7 a.m. Cedar Island ferry – already en route – was turned back around to the mainland.

The trawler remained grounded for the bulk of Monday morning, and all ferries between Cedar Island, Ocracoke, and Swan Quarter were cancelled for the day.

The trawler was eventually dislodged by early Monday afternoon, and shortly thereafter, ferries checked the channel and markers to ensure that the area was passable.

The route was deemed safe to travel, and as of Tuesday morning, all ferries departing and arriving from Ocracoke’s Silver Lake Harbor were back on schedule.