The Currituck County Board of Commissioners, on October 6, 2025, unanimously adopted a resolution to oppose changes to the Currituck-Knotts Island Ferry operations as proposed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation – Ferry Division. The proposed changes would reduce the number of crossings by 60% from the ferry’s daily schedule.
The proposed schedule reductions are linked to a budget impasse between the House and Senate in the North Carolina General Assembly over “mini-budgets.” Before adjourning until late October, the N.C. Senate approved $3 million in additional ferry operation funding to maintain last year’s service levels, as well as $4 million for shipyard work on the ferry Sea Level. However, the House version of the “mini-budget” did not contain these funds and was not voted upon.
Without these additional funds, temporary employees could be laid off and some ferry routes could see reductions of 50%. Ferry Division Executive Director Justin LeBlanc stated: “We know our state representatives and senators support the Ferry Division as evidenced by the proposed budget. We urge the General Assembly to approve these funding lines at the earliest opportunity.”
The ferry currently operates five departures daily from both the Knotts Island terminal and the Currituck mainland terminal, which is located near the Historic Courthouse. The Ferry Division’s proposed reduction in operations would limit departures to twice a day from each side, once in the morning and once in the evening.
Currituck County urges the Ferry Division to maintain the current schedule. The ferry serves as a critical mode of transportation for Knotts Island residents who travel to the mainland for employment, medical appointments, government services, senior programs, recreation, education, and other matters.
The ferry provides daily transportation during the school year for students of Currituck County Schools who live on Knotts Island. These students must travel to the mainland to attend Currituck County Middle School, Currituck County High School, or J.P. Knapp School. A school bus utilizes the ferry to transport these students each morning and afternoon.
Eliminating the midday routes would cause hardship for the residents of Knotts Island. The only alternate route between Knotts Island and the Currituck mainland is a two-hour round-trip drive through Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, Virginia. A schedule reduction would also create logistical concerns for Currituck County Schools on days with an early release or delayed opening.
The Board hopes to schedule a meeting with the Ferry Division officials to discuss the proposed changes.
Situation in Ocracoke (Hyde County)
Ocracoke Island in Hyde County faces similar challenges due to the state budget impasse. The most heavily used route, Hatteras-Ocracoke, would see reductions ranging from 22% to 50% depending upon the day of the week.
Additionally, the passenger-only Ocracoke Express ferry operating between Hatteras and Ocracoke may be canceled entirely, and sound-class ferry routes from the mainland may not be able to operate the more frequent runs of the summer schedule in 2026.