RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina will try leasing a boat to take passengers between Hatteras and Ocracoke islands because the ferry that was supposed to do the job has been delayed — again.
Spokesman Tim Hass of the state Ferry Division tells The News & Observer of Raleigh that the most recent delay is because inspectors found the aluminum welds in the hull were substandard. Work was halted and then resumed in March.
The $4 million boat originally was supposed to be completed in April 2018. It’s designed to seat 98 people inside and another 26 outside.
Hass says the state has found a similar catamaran-style ferry in New Jersey that’s available for the summer. The state needs to bring the boat to North Carolina and run the route to make sure it’s suitable.
___
Information from: The News & Observer, http://www.newsobserver.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.