Late last week, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry registered its 50 millionth passenger at the Lewes Ferry Terminal.
Zach Kaltenbach, originally of Long Beach Island, NJ, purchased a ticket for the 11:15 a.m. departure bound for Cape May, New Jersey aboard the MV New Jersey.
Zach and his girlfriend, Jody, with daughters, Finley and Harbor, now reside in Millsboro. The Kaltenbachs are traveling aboard the Ferry for a baby shower in Cape May. The family frequently travels aboard the Cape May – Lewes Ferry, using the service multiple times per month to visit Zach’s parents who now reside in Cape May.
The designation earned a free trip on the ferry and a certificate for future travel.
For nearly sixty years, the Cape May – Lewes Ferry has offered continuous service for residents and visitors alike between the two towns. In addition to 50 million passengers, the popular ferry service has transported more than 16 million vehicles in its history. The ferry also draws tourists to beach and shore areas.
The ferry came about after the completion of the Delaware Memorial Bridge and the formation of the Delaware River and Bay Authority, which manages the bridge, ferry and regional airports.
The ferry is subsidized by bridge toll revenues, since vessels typically do not operate at a profit. A study on a tunnel between Cape May and Lewes concluded that the project was not feasible.
On July 1, 1964, the first ferry vessel departed the Lewes terminal at 6:47 a.m., carrying eight vehicles and fifteen passengers. The 11:15 a.m. departure from Lewes, Delaware was sold out with nearly 100 vehicles and more than 200 passengers.
