September 5, 2010


A N.C. Department of Transportation ferry, the Motor Vessel Carteret, was involved in an accident with a private boat at 8:40 p.m. on Saturday night, Sept. 4.
 
There were no serious injuries, and the U.S. Coast Guard is investigating.

The MV Carteret, a 220-foot ferry, departed Ocracoke on its regularly scheduled 8:30 p.m. departure to Cedar Island with one vehicle, eight passengers, and a crew of seven onboard. The ferry made its turn at the junction light and was between navigation markers No. 4 and No. 6 when the accident happened.
 
According to a Coast Guard spokesperson, a 35-foot motor yacht crossed the bow of the ferry and the ferry collided with the yacht.

U.S. Coast Guard Station Hatteras responded with two rescue vessels and pulled two people and two dogs from the yacht. The crew of MV Carteret launched its rescue boat and assisted the Coast Guard.
 
There were no injuries onboard the ferry. The occupants of the private boat sustained minor injuries, according to a Coast Guard spokesperson.

The yacht was damaged and has a hole from slightly above the waterline to the deck.

A 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Hatteras Inlet was deployed to tow the yacht to shallow water.

As is standard procedure, Hyde County deputies and Coast Guard personnel performed alcohol testing on ferry crew members, who tested negative. Drug testing will also be performed later today.
 
Coast Guard personnel inspected the MV Carteret and cleared it to continue operating.
 
Once the USCG investigation is completed, NCDOT will release the findings.

Comments are always welcomed!      Subject :      Name :  (required)      Email :  (required, will not be published)      City :   (required)    State :   (required)      Your Comments: May be posted on the Letters to the Editor page at the discretion of the editor.