Ferry, yacht collide

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of a collision that occurred in the ferry channel in Ocracoke and involved a state ferry and private yacht.

A N.C. Department of Transportation ferry, the Motor Vessel Carteret, was involved in an accident with a private boat at 8:40 p.m. Saturday according to Coast Guard and N.C. DOT news releases.

The MV Carteret, a 220-foot ferry, departed Ocracoke on its regularly scheduled 8:30 p.m. departure to Cedar Island with one vehicle, eight passengers and a crew of seven onboard. The ferry made its turn at the junction light and was between navigation markers No.4 and  No. 6 when the accident took place, the DOT said.

According to officials, a 35-foot motor yacht crossed the bow of the ferry and the ferry collided with the yacht.

The yacht, Tony C, had two crewmembers and two dogs aboard.

A 25-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station Ocracoke responded and transferred the two crewmembers and two dogs from the yacht to Station Ocracoke , where Coast Guard emergency medical technicians were waiting. The individuals were released with no severe injuries, the Coast Guard said.

The yacht was damaged and has a hole from just above the waterline to the deck. A 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Hatteras Inlet was deployed to tow the yacht to shallow water, Coast Guard officials said.

USCG Station Hatteras responded with two rescue vessels and pulled two people and two dogs from the yacht. The crew of MV Carteret launched their rescue boat and assisted USCG.

There were no injuries onboard the ferry.

As is standard procedure, Hyde county deputies and USCG personnel performed alcohol testing on ferry crewmembers, who tested negative. Drug testing will also be performed, the DOT said.

USCG personnel inspected the MV Carteret and cleared it to continue operating. Once the USCG investigation is completed, NCDOT will release the findings.