Post by ferryfast admin on Sept 11, 2007 11:41:40 GMT -5
Little-used Cape May ferry for sale
9:38 AM EDT, September 11, 2007
LOWER TOWNSHIP, N.J.
The MV Cape May is the largest and most luxurious of five ferries operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority _ the Hummer of the waves, so to speak.
Like Hummers, it also guzzles fuel. Now, it's for sale.
The agency, which lost $9 million last year in operating expenses, insurance and security costs, is downsizing its fleet. The MV Cape May sailed only 15 days in the past year.
The proposed sale will not affect this fall's sailing schedule between Cape May and Lewes, Del.
In all, the agency's ferries made 5,676 crossings over the Delaware Bay last year, but the MV Cape May was responsible for only about 40 of them.
"It just doesn't make sense to maintain a vessel for 365 days per year when it's only used 15 days," authority spokesman James Salmon told The Press of Atlantic City for Tuesday's newspapers. "In looking at that, you have paint and labor costs, fuel. It takes a significant amount of energy. All of those things add up."
The ferry service is subsidized by toll revenue from the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
The MV Cape May is the newest of the agency's five ferries, built in 1985 for $14.5 million. It also is the largest at 320 feet _ about the length of a football field.
The agency spent another $20 million in upgrades in 1998, adding two new decks with a restaurant, food court, lounge and a bar.
But despite increased marketing efforts, ridership on the ferry has declined over the years.
No word on the ferry's asking price.
___
Information from: The Press of Atlantic City, www.pressofatlanticcity.com
9:38 AM EDT, September 11, 2007
LOWER TOWNSHIP, N.J.
The MV Cape May is the largest and most luxurious of five ferries operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority _ the Hummer of the waves, so to speak.
Like Hummers, it also guzzles fuel. Now, it's for sale.
The agency, which lost $9 million last year in operating expenses, insurance and security costs, is downsizing its fleet. The MV Cape May sailed only 15 days in the past year.
The proposed sale will not affect this fall's sailing schedule between Cape May and Lewes, Del.
In all, the agency's ferries made 5,676 crossings over the Delaware Bay last year, but the MV Cape May was responsible for only about 40 of them.
"It just doesn't make sense to maintain a vessel for 365 days per year when it's only used 15 days," authority spokesman James Salmon told The Press of Atlantic City for Tuesday's newspapers. "In looking at that, you have paint and labor costs, fuel. It takes a significant amount of energy. All of those things add up."
The ferry service is subsidized by toll revenue from the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
The MV Cape May is the newest of the agency's five ferries, built in 1985 for $14.5 million. It also is the largest at 320 feet _ about the length of a football field.
The agency spent another $20 million in upgrades in 1998, adding two new decks with a restaurant, food court, lounge and a bar.
But despite increased marketing efforts, ridership on the ferry has declined over the years.
No word on the ferry's asking price.
___
Information from: The Press of Atlantic City, www.pressofatlanticcity.com