Silver Lake News

Shoaling shifts NCDOT’s propulsion needs, prompting a sea change. Thrustmaster waterjets step in to carry the day. In Swansboro, N.C., boatbuilder U.S. Workboats (formerly Armstrong Marine) is assembling the linchpin of the North Carolina Department of Transport’s (NCDOT) business plan for its future Outer Banks ferry services. Separately, in both Hatteras and Ocracoke, crews are preparing to break ground on new parking additions and visitor facilities. The Ocracoke Express passenger ferry project – made necessary by the shifting and unpredictable shoaling on North Carolina’s Outer Banks – will, starting this summer, change forever the way tourists and visitors get to and from these national treasures.

Iceland-based Eimskip has agreed to acquire Norwegian shipping and logistics company Nor Lines. According to Eimskip, the operation of Nor Lines has been challenging in recent years and the business will be restructured in order to improve the firm’s services. In a press release on November 16th, Eimskip stated: " With reference to a press release from Eimskip dated 2 November, the company emphasizes the following: Eimskip has entered into an agreement to acquire the Norwegian shipping and logistics company Nor Lines. The final purchase price is subject to adjustments based upon the company’s financial statements for the year 2016. The approximate purchase price is EUR 15 million and can decrease or increase based on the financial performance of Nor Lines for the year 2016.

The Coast Guard responded to a ferry that ran aground Saturday approximately one mile south of Ocracoke, North Carolina. The captain of the Silver Lake, a 220-foot passenger and vehicle ferry, contacted Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders via mobile phone at approximately 5 p.m., reporting they drifted into shallow water and became stuck. Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders dispatched a crew aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Coast Guard Station Hatteras Inlet to assist. The Station Hatteras Inlet crew removed 14 passengers from the ferry and took them to the Ocracoke South Ferry Terminal. The crew of the Silver Lake plans to attempt to re-float the ferry Sunday with the assistance of the crew aboard the tugboat Royal Engineer.

The National Marine Representatives Association (NMRA) has elected its 2011-2012 officers and board members. One new officer and three new board members are joining the association's leadership group. Chris Kelly of Waters & David Co., New Orleans, Louisiana, is now president. Kathy Munzinger of Munzinger & Co., Springfield, Missouri, has been elected vice president and Ken Smaga of ComMar Sales LLC, Land O' Lakes, Florida, is now treasurer. Brandon Flack of Atlantic Marketing Co., Stonington, Connecticut, joins the officers as NMRA's new secretary.

The State of North Carolina has the nation's second largest ferry system. Only the State of Washington's system is larger. Its 23 vessels annually carry 2.5 million passengers and one million vehicles. The ferry system is operated by the Ferry Division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, which employs approximately 380 permanent employees. This number increase to approximately 450 during the summer season. There are four ferry routes on three bodies of water connecting the mainland with the offshore islands of Ocracoke, Hatteras and Notts Islands. Three routes cross the Cape Fear, Neuse and Pamlico Rivers. The Ferry Division also has a dredge, tugs, fuel barge and its own shipyard located in Manns Harbor.