Heath Gehrke

Director of Operations

The Cape May – Lewes Ferry

Cape May – Lewes Ferry

- History

- Ferry Service Today

- Vessels & Terminals

- Tourism Activities

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.

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

History

- SS Pocahontas

- SS Princess Anne

- SS DelMarVa

- MV Cape Henlopen

• 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

Cape May – Lewes Ferry

Annually

750,000 passengers

280,000 vehicles

Heavily Seasonal

8 to 28 departures per day depending on season.

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:

Employees

141 permanent employees

250-300 seasonal employees

About 80% in NJ,

20% based in DE

Terminals

- Cape May

- Lewes

Vessels

Tourism Activities

Tours & Packages

Cape May Zoo Trip

Cape May Guided Tour

Lewes Historic Trolley Tour

Atlantic City Tours

Maritime History Tours

Group Tours / Private Parties

Theme Cruises

“Rock the Boat” Cruise

Tropical Tuesday Cruise

- Marine Naturalist Program

- Wine Lover’s

Cruise

Special Events

Escape the Cape - Maritime Day - Brewfest - Concerts on the Green - 50th Anniversary

Conclusion

THANK-YOU!

www.CMLF.com Heath Gehrke 609-889-7220 (o) Heath.gehrke@drba.net