Manns Harbor – NCDOT has announced that it has installed limited wireless internet service on five boats that make runs between Ocracoke, Cedar Island, and Swan Quarter.
The free service is the first of its kind on the North Carolina Ferry System, officials say.
“This pilot program is part of continuing efforts to enhance our passenger experience,” said Ferry Division Deputy Director Jed Dixon. ”Both of our Pamlico Sound routes take more than two hours, so this will allow passengers to get some work done or engage in social media while they travel.” Dixon says the Ferry Division will test the service over the next few months for reliability and popularity. “If it works like we hope it will, we will seek sponsors to help enhance and expand it.”
Wi-Fi routers have already been installed on the M/V Carteret, M/V Cedar Island, M/V Silver Lake, M/V Sea Level, and M/V Swan Quarter. The M/V Pamlico is undergoing routine maintenance at the Manns Harbor shipyard and will have routers installed when it returns to service.
Passengers wishing to connect to the Wi-Fi on one of the Pamlico Sound routes should contact a crew member on board for the network name and password. The wireless service is being provided by U.S. Cellular at a cost of $5,472 a year.
