For the third time in less than a month, the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry is running at reduced capacity after one of its ships has been sidelined for emergency maintenance.
The ferry “Pocahontas,” the largest in the fleet of four ships that serves the ferry route that links James City County with Surry County, is expected to be out of service for several days, according to a press release from the Virginia Department of Transportation. Motorists can expect operations to be reduced by up to 50 vehicles per hour.
The “Pocahontas” was built in 1995 can hold up to 70 vehicles, according to VDOT’s website. It is also the most frequently used ship on the route, said Kristopher Purzycki, a public information officer with VDOT. Three other ships are used on the ferry—the “Williamsburg” and “Surry,” which both hold 50 cars, and the “Virginia,” which holds 28.
Purzycki said the recent closures are not symptomatic of chronic problems with the ferry system.
“This is a service that runs 24/7,” Purzycki said. “The nature of the rotation makes the ‘Pocahontas’ get a lot of mileage. It doesn’t require any more or less maintenance than the other two boats. When it’s taken out for any amount of time, the impact is much more significant than with the other two boats.”
Purzycki said the problem that has forced “Pocahontas” out of service is connected to its engine. Due to the unique nature of the engine and the parts within, it can take days for a replacement part to arrive. Sometimes the parts need to be manufactured.
VDOT is currently exploring the possibility of building a new ferry for the route. The new ship would also hold 70 cars and would replace the “Virginia,” which was built in 1936. This would help alleviate the strain on “Pocahontas,” which shoulders the brunt of traffic. The new ferry is estimated to cost $27 million, according to VDOT’s website.
According to the website, construction could begin as early as 2013. The project is estimated to be finished by 2016 at the latest. Purzycki said the new ferry is part of the Six-Year Improvement Program.
The “Pocahontas” was knocked out of service last month from Dec. 18 – 19 for “emergency maintenance,” according to a press release issued then by VDOT. The “Williamsburg” was removed from service for “emergency maintenance” Dec. 22 – 23.
VDOT advises motorists who use the service to consider the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel or the Route 17 James River Bridge. You can call the VDOT Traffic Information Line at 757-361-3016 or the 24-hour ferry hotline at 1-800-VAFERRY for more information.
Photo courtesy of Virginia Department of Transportation
