If you did not read Mayor Quinn’s message from yesterday (HERE), it provided some information about the Village’s priorities in response to the shoaling and some background on the Village’s Marina Channel Maintenance Program.
Dredging Operations
Dredging operations resumed last night at about 8:00 p.m. and concluded around 5:30 this morning so the ferries could resume operation. If conditions allow, we expect they will work tonight for another long period and again on Saturday and Sunday night. This was the first time conditions were favorable to allow dredging operations since Monday night.
Village Operations
Village offices have reopened today on the following schedules:
- Village Hall is operating from 8:15 to 3:30.
- Department of Public Safety Administration is operating from 9:00 to 2:00; this will be today and every Monday through Friday until fully staffed.
- Island Package Center & Post Office is operating 10:00 to 3:00 (normal hours – subject to change).
USPS Mail & Packages – Two sets of dollies made it on the passenger ferry earlier in the week. Staff was on the island yesterday to scan and sort the second set to send the Village’s empty dollies back to Deep Point for the Southport Post Office to refill. The cargo area on the smaller ferries that have been used to transport passengers is prioritized for passenger luggage dollies. Once the larger ferries are back in service, the USPS dollies should start making their way over. Please check the package tracker (HERE) to see if your package has arrived on BHI.
UPS and FedEx Packages – These packages are dependent on the barge as they arrive on a box truck each day the barge is in service. The last packages the IPC received from the truck were on Monday afternoon. When the barge resumes service, this truck will be prioritized with other BHI essentials. Please check the package tracker (HERE) to see if your package has arrived on BHI (some carriers will indicate when the package is in Southport – this does not mean it has reached the island). It is anticipated there are at least two truckloads of packages for the barge to transport to the island. Check future VV e-blast announcements or the IPC/PO webpage for updates.
Essential staff have remained on duty on the island all week. As always, please call 911 if you need a Public Safety Officer.
Trash Service – Trash was picked up yesterday (7/23), but GFL did not complete the route due to the trucks filling up and no place to empty them. The following streets have not been picked up:
Seaton Ct., Dunedin Ct., Eileen Way, Thistle Ridge, Inverness Ct., Cladach Ct., Loggerhead Trl., 974 through 1013 South Bald Head Wynd, Spikerush Ct., Cape Fear Trl., Sea Gull Trl., Captain Charlie’s Ct., Green Teal Trl., Old Baldy Ct., Keelson Row, Windward Way, Leeward Ct., Tanbark Ct., Turks Head Ct., Transom Row, Row Boat Row. 104-133 West Bald Head Wynd.
These streets are expected to be picked up at the beginning of next week. If you have waste in your receptacle(s), please make sure the YES sign is visible.
ALL RECEPTACLES AT PUBLIC WORKS ARE FULL – PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY HOUSEHOLD WASTE OR RECYCLING TO PUBLIC WORKS – BUSINESSES CAN EMAIL US (public.information@villagebhi.org) IF THEY HAVE WASTE DISPOSAL NEEDS.
Ferry Operations
The public is encouraged to continue to monitor BHIT’s app and website (HERE) for the latest service updates and notifications.
If you know of anyone planning a day trip to the island, please let them know that due to current dredging operations, the ferry schedule is subject to change. They should check the ferry website for service alerts – – especially those announcing the last ferry run.
Barge Operations
As mentioned in Mayor Quinn’s message and relayed to barge customers on Wednesday (7/22), once the passage becomes safe for barge travel, essential goods and services (food, trash, gas, mail, and anything the Village deems necessary to operate the Island) will have priority on the barge. Upon completion of the transport of essentials, independent barge users will be scheduled per BHIT. Current barge status is posted HERE.
Thank you for reading this Village’s Voice announcement and for taking the time to stay informed on Village news and events. If you have any questions about the content in this announcement or about the Village’s departments and services, please reach out to us at public.information@villagebhi.org or (910) 457-9700 ext. 1025.