2. Cape May – Lewes Ferry
- History
- Ferry Service Today
- Vessels & Terminals
- Tourism Activities
3. History
Feb 1895 – DE authorized Queen Ann’s RR to extend to
Rehoboth and then on to Cape May via steamship.
1926 – Baltimore developer purchases 3 of 12 concrete
ships built for troop transport during WWI for use as a
ferry landing.
1953 – NJ Legislature authorized construction
and operation of a ferry to connect GSP with
DE.
4. History
1962 – Compact created by legislatures of DE & NJ and
by Act of Congress to form DRBA.
DRBA responsible to manage DMB and all “crossings”
over the DE River & Bay between the two states.
Mandated to address need for another bay crossing.
Governed by 6 Commissioners
from each state, appointed by
the Governor
6. • 1963 – DRBA Commission passes resolution
proposing ferry crossing.
• Cape May-Lewes Ferry service begins July 1, 1964
• Ferry operates 24 hours/day then reduced to 16
hours/day in 1975
• 1972 – DRBA signs contract to build 3 new vessels
• 1981 – Fourth vessel MV NewDel
(later renamed MV CH)
• 1994-1998 – Vessel refurbishments
$54.4 million
History
7. Cape May – Lewes Ferry
Annually
750,000 passengers
280,000 vehicles
Heavily Seasonal
8 to 28 departures per
day depending on
season.
8. 56%
24%
20%
<2 Trips 2 - 6 Trips >6 Trips
Passengers
Demographics
50% of customers are from three local counties:
Cape May & Atlantic, NJ & Sussex, DE
Usage profile:
12. Tourism Activities
Tours & Packages
Cape May Zoo Trip
Cape May Guided Tour
Lewes Historic Trolley Tour
Atlantic City Tours
Maritime History Tours