Cape May-Lewes Ferry (CMLF) officials announced that the MV New Jersey has completed her unscheduled dry-docking and returned to active service over the weekend.
The ferry service was down to one vessel for a time.
The dry dock and repairs took place at Caddell’s Shipyard in Staten Island, New York. Originally estimated to take three weeks to accomplish, the contractor was able to complete the construction work on the vessel’s hull in ten days.
“We’re pleased to welcome the MV New Jersey back home and we would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding during the past couple of weeks,” said Heath Gehrke, Director of Ferry Operations. “Proper maintenance – thus passenger safety – is paramount to us.”
The Cape May – Lewes Ferry expects its third vessel, the MV Delaware, to return to service in mid-May. The MV Delaware is currently finishing a scheduled dry docking where she received new engines. The Cape May – Lewes Ferry has three active vessels in the fleet: MV New Jersey, MV Cape Henlopen and MV Delaware.
The Cape May – Lewes Ferry is owned and operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962.
The Ferry is open year-round and has carried more than 43 million passengers since its inception on July 1, 1964.
