Outer Banks Ferry Runs Aground Crossing Pamlico Sound
The NC Ferry System reports an Outer Banks ferry runs aground. The Silver Lake, a 220-foot ferry that crosses the Pamlico Sound between Cedar Island and Ocrocoke Island runs aground Saturday March 14, 2015 just south of Ocracoke Island. The captain of the ferry called the Coast Guard Saturday at about 5:00PM to report the problem and call for assistance. The Coast Guard out of Hatteras Inlet Station responded and the crew assisted 14 passengers from the soft grounded ferry. The captain of the ferry reported the ferry got stuck after drifting into shallow water. No one was injured and there was no damage to the vessel or the environment. Plans are on Sunday to try to re-float the ferry with the help of a tugboat.
Update: The Silver Lake was towed to Ocrocoke Sunday and will be repaired at the State Shipyard before being used again. The ferry is reported to have lost steering and ran aground. The cars on board where removed after the ferry was towed to Ocracoke.
