Ice keeps Cape May ferry docked for a fifth day -- maybe longer

As ice conditions along the Delaware Bay worsened, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry remained docked for a fifth day Monday.

Officials also canceled four morning crossings for Tuesday, but were hoping to resume some afternoon service, but that seemed unlikely.

"It doesn't look good," said Jim Salmon, spokesman for the Delaware River and Bay Authority, the ferry's operator.

Operators of the ferry announced last week ahead of the snowstorm that the service would be shut down beginning on Thursday.

Weather conditions have since kept the ferry at the dock and on Saturday officials said conditions had only grown worse, especially on the east side of the Delaware Bay near the New Jersey terminal which sits on the Cape May Canal.

On Monday Salmon said that a tug was being used to break the ice near the Lewes, Del., terminal of the ferry.

Tentatively, that tug was expected to come across the bay and begin work in Cape May on Tuesday.

Officials also expect a change in the weather to help in breaking up the ice.

"We hope that Mother Nature will help us a little with warmer temperatures later in the week," Salmon said.

In good conditions, the ferry vessels can make the 17-mile trip across the Delaware Bay between Cape May and Lewes in about 85 minutes.

In the winter, there are generally just eight crossings a day -- four from Cape May to Lewes and four returning.

Photographs show the large amount of ice surrounding the cape May terminal. Ferry traffic cameras also show the heavy ice both at Cape May and near the Lewes dock.

The ferries can operate in ice conditions, Salmon says. The MV Cape Henlopen which is being used during the winter months is the best-equipped to handle icy waters.

The longest that the ice has kept the ferry service shut down is 45 days duing the winter of 1977-1978 by extreme ice conditions from Jan. 11 through Feb. 25.

With the ferry out of service, the only option for drivers needing to get to Delaware (or from Delaware to New Jersey) is to use the Delaware Memorial Bridge. From the ferry in Cape May that's a 76-mile, one hour and 50-minute drive.

Travelers looking for updates on ferry service can call the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Guest Services Center at 1-800-643-3779, visit the ferry's website at www.cmlf.com or check its Twitter @CMLFerry for the latest departure information.