Cape May-Lewes Ferry
Encyclopedia
The Cape May – Lewes Ferry is a ferry system that traverses a 17-mile (27 km) crossing of the Delaware Bay
to connect Cape May
, New Jersey
with Lewes
, Delaware
. The ferry doubles as a section of U.S. Route 9
.
The Cape May – Lewes Ferry, operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority
(DRBA), consists of five ferry vessels and two terminal facilities. Its operations are based at its Cape May terminal, which is actually located in North Cape May
, on the north shore of the Cape May Canal
.
The five vessels in the fleet carry both vehicles (passenger cars, buses, RVs, tractor trailers, motorcycles, and bicycles are all common) and foot passengers. Each has a capacity of about 100 cars, which sells out in advance during the popular summer weekends (although passenger capacity usually does not). Advance reservations are accepted.
The ferry trip takes approximately 80 minutes and provides a view of three lighthouses: the Cape May Light in New Jersey, and the Harbor of Refuge Light
and Delaware Breakwater East End Light
near Lewes.
The ferry's terminal buildings were substantially overhauled in 2000-2001. Cape May received a brand-new terminal to replace the existing structure, built in 1988. The Lewes terminal, also built in 1988, was expanded and renovated at the same time. Both terminals now feature unique, recognizable "towers," which contain elevators and staircases connecting the terminal buildings to glass-enclosed walkways. The walkways allow foot passengers to board the vessel directly on the second deck, avoiding vehicles driving onto the car deck below.
The terminal buildings feature gift shops, food courts, bars, restaurants, ticketing and information booths, and occasional history or art exhibits.
. These ships were replaced beginning in 1974 with new, diesel-powered vessels. The three original vessels of the new fleet, the M.V. Delaware, M.V. Twin Capes, and M.V. New Jersey, were supplemented by the M.V. Cape Henlopen (originally the M.V. New Del) in 1981 and the M.V. Cape May in 1985. Although these five vessels currently differ in external appearance, they were originally designed and built to identical specifications. Renovation projects in the mid- to late-1990s radically altered the shapes and appearances of the fleet. However, the vessels were only rebuilt from the hull up, meaning that their hulls and engines remain identical.
Each vessel consists of an open car deck situated atop a hull that is low to the water. Because of the ships' shallow displacements, the ships appear almost barge-like, sitting directly atop the water, from a distance. The ships were originally built with two decks atop the car deck—the second deck consisting of a gift shop, snack bar, and interior and exterior seating areas, and the third deck consisting of outdoor seating areas. Historically, an interior crew room was situated on the third deck, and a pilot house was on the fourth deck. Subsequent renovations changed these plans for some of the vessels.
Each vessel can hold 100 cars and 1,000 passengers. All have a length of 320 feet (97.5 m) and a breadth of 68 feet (20.7 m), a displacement of at least 2100 tons, a maximum draft of 7 feet (2.1 m), two 4000 hp diesel engines, and a top speed of 16 knots (31.4 km/h) (18 mph).
The M.V.
Delaware was one of the original three vessels of the new 1970s fleet, and it was also the first vessel in the fleet to be completely refurbished. A renovation in 1994 added "shark's fin" stacks to the vessel as well as an interior deli and bar on the third deck. The second and third decks were extended over the car deck in this renovation to provide for more seating. A second renovation at the end of the 1990s reconfigured the interior spaces on the second deck. Her sister ships are the M.V. Cape May and M.V. Twin Capes.
inspectors found numerous violations in the galleys of all five vessels, the ship remains an attraction. Her sister ships are the M.V. Cape May and M.V. Delaware. Due to decreasing ridership, the DRBA announced in July 2010 that the M.V. Twin Capes was up for sale. It is the second boat to be put up for sale after the M.V. Cape May in 2007. It has not yet been sold and the DRBA stated that it will remain in use until sold. Both Canadian and Nigerian ferry operators expressed interest in purchasing both it and the Cape May.
The M.V. Cape May, the newest vessel of the fleet, was refurbished in 1998 in a $20 million project that retained the original superstructure and added deck extensions and a new fourth deck. The renovation added a fourth-deck buffet restaurant, bars, an enlarged gift shop, an elevator, and additional interior seating. In 2007, in order to help close an operating deficit, the DRBA removed the M.V. Cape May from service and announced that the vessel was up for sale. The vessel's added expense of operation and low use—it had made only fifteen crossings in 2007—were additional factors leading to its removal from service. It has not yet been sold, thought the owners of Cross Sound Ferry in Connecticut have shown interest, and is declared as surplus property.
The M.V. Cape Henlopen, the fourth vessel of the fleet in terms of original construction date, is the other "small" vessel, along with the M.V. New Jersey. Like the New Jersey, the Cape Henlopen retains its original decks and floor plans but received upgraded finishes and seating in 1998. It was originally named the M.V. New Deal but it was re-christened upon the arrival of the M.V. Cape May. Her sister boat is the M.V. New Jersey.
. Those ships had previously provided service across the Chesapeake Bay
, connecting Cape Charles
with Virginia
, but the opening of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
in 1964 rendered that service obsolete. All of the steamers were replaced in the 1970s with the service's current fleet.
When it began service, the Cape May – Lewes Ferry operated under a 24 hour schedule. That schedule was cut back in 1975 to 16 hours a day.
The ferry fleet was substantially overhauled during the 1990s, adding several amenities—including buffet restaurants, bars, and lounges—intended to promote the ride as a draw in itself. The DRBA operates a shuttle service on both sides of the bay, giving foot passengers both a ride on the ferry and round-trip transportation from the terminals into Cape May and Lewes for one combined rate. The DRBA has partnered with local merchants to give discounts to passengers, and it even allows passengers to purchase a round-trip ticket and not disembark midway.
In addition to these promotions, the ferry also offers a special excursions. A popular, but expensive, excursion includes the annual fireworks cruise, in which passengers board the vessel (usually the M.V. Twin Capes) and sail into the bay to watch a Fourth of July
fireworks show sponsored by the DRBA. The cruise features entertainment on the car deck (past entertainment has included a symphony orchestra) and a catered meal.
The ferry is an excellent connection between the south Jersey shore
towns from Long Beach Island
to Cape May
, and the shore towns from Lewes, Delaware
, to Ocean City, Maryland
, on the Delmarva Peninsula
. Prior to its inception, travelers between these areas would have to drive across southern New Jersey to the Delaware Memorial Bridge
, and then down through Delaware on U.S. Route 13
, or vice versa if they were coming from Delaware.
Delaware Bay
Delaware Bay is a major estuary outlet of the Delaware River on the Northeast seaboard of the United States whose fresh water mixes for many miles with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is in area. The bay is bordered by the State of New Jersey and the State of Delaware...
to connect Cape May
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is a city at the southern tip of Cape May Peninsula in Cape May County, New Jersey, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the country's oldest vacation resort destinations. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 United States...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
with Lewes
Lewes, Delaware
Lewes is an incorporated city in Sussex County, Delaware, USA, on the Delmarva Peninsula. According to the 2010 census, the population is 2,747, a decrease of 6.3% from 2000....
, Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
. The ferry doubles as a section of U.S. Route 9
U.S. Route 9
U.S. Route 9 is a north–south United States highway in the states of Delaware, New Jersey, and New York in the United States. It is one of only two U.S. highways with a ferry connection ; the other being US 10. US 9 is signed east–west in Delaware and north–south on the rest of...
.
The system
Delaware River and Bay Authority
The Delaware River and Bay Authority or DRBA is a bi-state government agency of the U.S. states of New Jersey and Delaware established by interstate compact in 1961....
(DRBA), consists of five ferry vessels and two terminal facilities. Its operations are based at its Cape May terminal, which is actually located in North Cape May
North Cape May, New Jersey
North Cape May is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Lower Township, in Cape May County, New Jersey, in the United States. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the CDP population was 3,618...
, on the north shore of the Cape May Canal
Cape May Canal
The Cape May Canal is a waterway that stretches nearly three miles from Cape May Harbor to the Delaware Bay, at the southern tip of Cape May County, New Jersey. The canal was constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers during World War II to provide a protected route to avoid German...
.
The five vessels in the fleet carry both vehicles (passenger cars, buses, RVs, tractor trailers, motorcycles, and bicycles are all common) and foot passengers. Each has a capacity of about 100 cars, which sells out in advance during the popular summer weekends (although passenger capacity usually does not). Advance reservations are accepted.
The ferry trip takes approximately 80 minutes and provides a view of three lighthouses: the Cape May Light in New Jersey, and the Harbor of Refuge Light
Harbor of Refuge Light
The Harbor of Refuge Light is a lighthouse built on the ocean end of the outer Delaware Breakwater at the mouth of the Delaware Bay, just off Cape Henlopen...
and Delaware Breakwater East End Light
Delaware Breakwater East End Light
The Delaware Breakwater East End Light is a lighthouse located on the inner Delaware Breakwater in the Delaware Bay, just off the coast of Cape Henlopen and the town of Lewes, Delaware.-Construction and Early Use :...
near Lewes.
The ferry's terminal buildings were substantially overhauled in 2000-2001. Cape May received a brand-new terminal to replace the existing structure, built in 1988. The Lewes terminal, also built in 1988, was expanded and renovated at the same time. Both terminals now feature unique, recognizable "towers," which contain elevators and staircases connecting the terminal buildings to glass-enclosed walkways. The walkways allow foot passengers to board the vessel directly on the second deck, avoiding vehicles driving onto the car deck below.
The terminal buildings feature gift shops, food courts, bars, restaurants, ticketing and information booths, and occasional history or art exhibits.
The fleet
The original fleet of steamships were purchased in 1964 from the defunct Little Creek-Cape Charles Ferry in Virginia, replaced by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-TunnelChesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a long fixed link crossing the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and connecting the Delmarva Peninsula's Eastern Shore of Virginia with Virginia Beach and the metropolitan area of Hampton Roads, Virginia...
. These ships were replaced beginning in 1974 with new, diesel-powered vessels. The three original vessels of the new fleet, the M.V. Delaware, M.V. Twin Capes, and M.V. New Jersey, were supplemented by the M.V. Cape Henlopen (originally the M.V. New Del) in 1981 and the M.V. Cape May in 1985. Although these five vessels currently differ in external appearance, they were originally designed and built to identical specifications. Renovation projects in the mid- to late-1990s radically altered the shapes and appearances of the fleet. However, the vessels were only rebuilt from the hull up, meaning that their hulls and engines remain identical.
Each vessel consists of an open car deck situated atop a hull that is low to the water. Because of the ships' shallow displacements, the ships appear almost barge-like, sitting directly atop the water, from a distance. The ships were originally built with two decks atop the car deck—the second deck consisting of a gift shop, snack bar, and interior and exterior seating areas, and the third deck consisting of outdoor seating areas. Historically, an interior crew room was situated on the third deck, and a pilot house was on the fourth deck. Subsequent renovations changed these plans for some of the vessels.
Each vessel can hold 100 cars and 1,000 passengers. All have a length of 320 feet (97.5 m) and a breadth of 68 feet (20.7 m), a displacement of at least 2100 tons, a maximum draft of 7 feet (2.1 m), two 4000 hp diesel engines, and a top speed of 16 knots (31.4 km/h) (18 mph).
M.V. Delaware
Motor ship
A motor ship or motor vessel is a ship propelled by an internal combustion engine, usually a diesel engine. The name of motor ships are often prefixed with MS, M/S, MV or M/V.- See also :...
Delaware was one of the original three vessels of the new 1970s fleet, and it was also the first vessel in the fleet to be completely refurbished. A renovation in 1994 added "shark's fin" stacks to the vessel as well as an interior deli and bar on the third deck. The second and third decks were extended over the car deck in this renovation to provide for more seating. A second renovation at the end of the 1990s reconfigured the interior spaces on the second deck. Her sister ships are the M.V. Cape May and M.V. Twin Capes.
M.V. Twin Capes
The M.V. Twin Capes, one of the original three vessels of the 1974 fleet, achieved superstar status in the fleet upon its $27 million renovation in 1996. While other vessel renovations maintained the original structures above the ships' hulls, the renovation of the Twin Capes saw the original vessel's entire superstructure above the car deck removed and replaced. The vessel was then marked as a miniature cruise ship, complete with an elevator, a sweeping interior staircase, interior areas on four different decks, an enlarged gift shop, a food court with a brick pizza oven, four different bars, and a buffet restaurant in a two-deck-tall, glass-enclosed room. Although the buffet was shut down in 2000 after U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationFood and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
inspectors found numerous violations in the galleys of all five vessels, the ship remains an attraction. Her sister ships are the M.V. Cape May and M.V. Delaware. Due to decreasing ridership, the DRBA announced in July 2010 that the M.V. Twin Capes was up for sale. It is the second boat to be put up for sale after the M.V. Cape May in 2007. It has not yet been sold and the DRBA stated that it will remain in use until sold. Both Canadian and Nigerian ferry operators expressed interest in purchasing both it and the Cape May.
M.V. Cape May
M.V. New Jersey
The M.V. New Jersey, one of the original three vessels of the new 1970s fleet, is considered one of fleet's two "small" vessels, despite its hull being the same size and displacement as that of the M.V. Twin Capes and M.V. Cape May. The New Jersey was lightly renovated in 1999, retaining its original decks and floor plans but receiving upgraded finishes and seating. Her sister boat is the M.V. Cape Henlopen.M.V. Cape Henlopen
History
Service began on July 1, 1964, utilizing a fleet of four ships purchased from VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. Those ships had previously provided service across the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
, connecting Cape Charles
Cape Charles, Virginia
Cape Charles is a town in Northampton County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,134 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cape Charles is located at ....
with Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay...
, but the opening of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a long fixed link crossing the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and connecting the Delmarva Peninsula's Eastern Shore of Virginia with Virginia Beach and the metropolitan area of Hampton Roads, Virginia...
in 1964 rendered that service obsolete. All of the steamers were replaced in the 1970s with the service's current fleet.
When it began service, the Cape May – Lewes Ferry operated under a 24 hour schedule. That schedule was cut back in 1975 to 16 hours a day.
Tourism
The ferry was constructed with transportation as its chief goal. However, over time, the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) began to recognize its potential as a tourist attraction. While the ferry of today continues to provide a vital transportation link between Delaware and New Jersey, the ferry experience has been optimized to draw in tourists.The ferry fleet was substantially overhauled during the 1990s, adding several amenities—including buffet restaurants, bars, and lounges—intended to promote the ride as a draw in itself. The DRBA operates a shuttle service on both sides of the bay, giving foot passengers both a ride on the ferry and round-trip transportation from the terminals into Cape May and Lewes for one combined rate. The DRBA has partnered with local merchants to give discounts to passengers, and it even allows passengers to purchase a round-trip ticket and not disembark midway.
In addition to these promotions, the ferry also offers a special excursions. A popular, but expensive, excursion includes the annual fireworks cruise, in which passengers board the vessel (usually the M.V. Twin Capes) and sail into the bay to watch a Fourth of July
Independence Day
An Independence Day is an annual event commemorating the anniversary of a nation's assumption of independent statehood, usually after ceasing to be a colony or part of another nation or state, and more rarely after the end of a military occupation...
fireworks show sponsored by the DRBA. The cruise features entertainment on the car deck (past entertainment has included a symphony orchestra) and a catered meal.
The ferry is an excellent connection between the south Jersey shore
Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore is a term used to refer to both the Atlantic coast of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the adjacent resort and residential communities. . The New Jersey State Department of Tourism considers the Shore Region, Greater Atlantic City, and the Southern Shore to be distinct, each having...
towns from Long Beach Island
Long Beach Island
Long Beach Island is a barrier island and summer colony along the Atlantic Ocean coast of Ocean County, New Jersey in the United States...
to Cape May
Cape May
Cape May is a peninsula and island ; the southern tip of the island is the southernmost point of the state of New Jersey, United States. It runs southwards from the New Jersey mainland, separating Delaware Bay from the Atlantic Ocean...
, and the shore towns from Lewes, Delaware
Lewes, Delaware
Lewes is an incorporated city in Sussex County, Delaware, USA, on the Delmarva Peninsula. According to the 2010 census, the population is 2,747, a decrease of 6.3% from 2000....
, to Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City, sometimes known as OC, or OCMD, is an Atlantic Ocean resort town in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. Ocean City is widely known in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and is a frequent destination for vacationers in that area...
, on the Delmarva Peninsula
Delmarva Peninsula
The Delmarva Peninsula is a large peninsula on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by most of Delaware and portions of Maryland and Virginia...
. Prior to its inception, travelers between these areas would have to drive across southern New Jersey to the Delaware Memorial Bridge
Delaware Memorial Bridge
The Delaware Memorial Bridge is a set of twin suspension bridges crossing the Delaware River. The toll bridges carry Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 40 between Delaware and New Jersey...
, and then down through Delaware on U.S. Route 13
U.S. Route 13
U.S. Route 13 is a north–south U.S. highway established in 1926 that runs for from Interstate 95 just north of Fayetteville, North Carolina to the northeastern suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Morrisville. In all, it traverses five states in the Atlantic coastal plain region,...
, or vice versa if they were coming from Delaware.