On Saturday, Feb. 24, the North Carolina Ferry System temporarily implemented size and weight limits on vehicles using the Cedar Island-Ocracoke and Swan Quarter-Ocracoke routes.

The restrictions are in place due to shoaling issues and low water depths in Big Foot Slough near Ocracoke.

Effective immediately, no vehicles over 40 feet will be allowed on the Pamlico Sound routes, and each departure will carry no more than 25 vehicles. The restrictions will remain in place until the Army Corps of Engineers can complete a dredging operation in the channel.

“The safety of our passengers and crew is always our top priority,” said Ferry Division Director Harold Thomas. “We hate to impose these restrictions, but it’s the only way we can continue to operate the Pamlico Sound routes safely until channel conditions improve.”

The dredging operations are expected to be complete in one to two weeks.