An underwater inspection found repairs were needed to the ferry's vessel MV New Jersey, officials said.
NORTH CAPE MAY -- The Cape May-Lewes Ferry fleet is temporarily down to one operating vessel, officials said Friday.
The news means that the ferry's schedule of Delaware Bay crossings will be limited.
The MV New Jersey must undergo an unscheduled dry docking for repairs that were discovered during an inspection last week, according to Jim Salmon, spokesman for the ferry's operator, the Delaware River and Bay Authority.
This will leave only the MV Cape Henlopen available for the Delaware Bay crossings from North Cape May to Lewes, Delaware, for most of the rest of this month.
"We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience that this situation may cause," said DRBA Director of Ferry Operations Heath Gehrke, "but ensuring passenger safety through proper maintenance is one of our core values."
In an underwater inspection that took place on the MV New Jersey at its North Cape May Terminal last week, it was discovered that areas of the hull-plate and some welds that require repairs that can't be completed while the ferry is in the water.
The vessel will be dry docked at Caddell's Shipyard in Staten Island, New York. Work on the MV New Jersey is expected to last at least three weeks, Gehrke said.
The ferry's third vessel, the MV Delaware, is out of service for a previously scheduled engine repowering. It's not expected to be back in service until mid-May.
Ridership is up on Cape May-Lewes Ferry
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry once had five vessels as part of its operating fleet, but that number was reduced.
The MV Cape May was sold and the MV Twin Capes has been mothballed at the Cape May Terminal.
With just the MV Cape Henlopen in service, the ferry will be operating on a limited schedule at least through at least April 25. Departures from Cape May will be at 7 and 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 and 6 p.m. Departures from Delaware are scheduled for 8:45 a.m. and 12:15, 4:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
The ferry has operated since 1964 between New Jersey and Delaware. The 17-mile crossing takes 85 minutes.
Ferry service operates year-round but on a limited schedule in the winter months. Peak demand comes during the summer tourist season.
In 2015, the ferry system transported 266,149 vehicles and 782,241 passengers.
All customers with advance reservations have been contacted and will be accommodated on a scheduled crossing, officials said.
Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @TheSJTimes. Find NJ.com on Facebook.