MV New Jersey to Undergo Unplanned Dry-Docking

CAPE MAY — April 8, Cape May – Lewes Ferry (CMLF) officials announced that the MV New Jersey will undergo an unscheduled dry-docking to make repairs to conditions that were discovered during an underwater inspection in lieu of dry-docking (UWILD) completed last week. Results of the MV New Jersey’s UWILD inspection included areas of the hull-plate and some welds that require attention that cannot be accomplished in the Ferry’s yard. The dry-dock will take place at Caddell’s Shipyard in Staten Island, NY.
“We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience that this situation may cause,” said Heath Gehrke, Director of Ferry Operations, “but ensuring passenger safety through proper maintenance is one of our core values.”
Gehrke said he anticipated that the repairs will take about three weeks to complete. This comes at a time when the MV Delaware is still undergoing a scheduled engine repowering. The MV Delaware is not expected to return to service until mid-May. Therefore, ferry service will be operating a limited schedule on only the MV Cape Henlopen through at least April 25, 2016.
Scheduled Departures:
Cape May:
7:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
2:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Lewes:
8:45 a.m.
12:15 p.m.
4:15 p.m.
7:45 p.m.
All customers with advanced reservations have been contacted and will be accommodated on a scheduled crossing.
Typically, each ferry vessel must be dry-docked twice in a five-year period at an average cost of $1.2M per dry-docking contract. Each underwater survey costs approximately $30,000. Utilizing this program since the United States Coast Guard first approved it in 2002, the CMLF has conducted more than ten UWILDs, maintaining passenger safety while achieving significant cost savings for the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA). Of the UWILDs performed, only two have required a subsequent dry-docking.
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. In 2015, the ferry service, which connects Victorian Cape May, New Jersey, and historic Lewes, Delaware, transported approximately 275,000 vehicles and nearly 1 million passengers. For schedule, rates and other program information, please visit the ferry’s website at www.CMLF.com, or call toll free, 800-643-3779. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @CMLFerry.