Cape May-Lewes Ferry gets $6m in grants for two vessels

Cape May-Lewes Ferry officials announced Monday that $6 million grant has been issued from the Federal Transit Administration, through the Passenger Ferry Grant Program, to help repower and retrofit the Motor Vessel (MV) New Jersey and MV Cape Henlopen.

The vessels, which are more than 40 years old, will get new engines. Their current engines are reportedly approaching 100,000 operating hours or the equivalent of 1.5 million miles.

“We’re grateful the Federal Transit Administration recognizes the importance of completing the ferry rehabilitation and repower project and thank our congressional delegations for their efforts securing this grant which will greatly assist that effort,” said William E. Lowe, III, Chairman of the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA), the operator of the ferry. 

According to DRBA’s Vice Chairman James Hogan, the new engines are more efficient and will burn less fuel, so emissions will reportedly be reduced by nearly 40 percent.

According to Public Information Officer James Salmon, the ferry expects to save approximately $130,000 per year in maintenance costs associated with old engines, and plans to reduce fuel use by 39,600 gallons and carbon dioxide emissions by 443 tons annually.