Delaware Bay: Ferry stranded on the way to Cape May
By GINGER GIBSON • The News Journal • December 14, 2009


While traveling between Delaware and New Jersey, the ferry vessel hit soft bottom and got stuck, Coast Guard spokeswoman and Petty Officer Ann Marie Gorden said.
Anytime the ferry hits bottom, officials are required to file an incident report to the Coast Guard. The agency investigates the incident. Gorden said the Coast Guard had not yet received all of the paperwork from the ferry.
The Press of Atlantic City reported that there were 35 people on board when it became stuck at about 9 p.m. while traveling from Lewes to Cape May. The ferry was scheduled to arrive in New Jersey at 9:15 p.m. It was the last ferry of the day.
The ferry became stuck when the tide went out, lowering the water level, the Press of Atlantic City reported. When the water level increased later, the ferry was able to move and continue to the shore. Passengers were allowed to disembark at 11 p.m., the newspaper reported.
The ferry, which began running in 1964, can carry 100 vehicles and 1,000 passengers between the two shores. The ferry is operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority, a cooperative funded by Delaware and New Jersey.