This Land, Your Land

The National Park Service said Friday it would build a passenger ferry depot on Front Street in Beaufort for service to the Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout areas of Cape Lookout National Seashore.

A private firm will operate the site, which is to be located at the new Beaufort Town Hall (the former Post Office building) and Grayden Paul Park, according to a news release. Service is expected to begin in 2014 after contracts are let in 2013.

Currently, Cape Lookout is only accessible by private boats or private ferries.

The National Park Service decided in 2008 to develop a ferry service, and various options were presented for public comment last March.

In an update two weeks after Hurricane Irene's strike, officials at Cape Lookout National Seashore say workers continue to make repairs but have opened most areas of the park.

The Long Point Cabins on North Core Banks suffered the most extensive damage, a news release says. After Irene, high seas washed over North Core Banks as Hurricane Katia passed offshore. Damage to the septic system and the ferry basin, which filled with sand, will require coordination with regulatory agencies to repair. Work to replace roofs continues, the news release says.

The camp at Long Point consists of 20 furnished cabins of about 500 square feet each that sleep six in bunk beds.

Elsewhere, Shackleford Banks is open, visitor services in the Lighthouse area have been restored, and the visitor center on Harkers Island is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In Portsmouth Village, the two developed areas remain closed, but the beaches have reopened for day use and foot traffic.

The Cape Lookout National Seashore's Shackleford Banks and the visitor center at Harkers Island have re-opened following Hurricane Irene as damage assessment continues, the National Park Service says. All other areas of the park remain closed.

The visitor center does not have phone or email service.

The storm damaged docks, buildings and other infrastructure, including the dock at Shackleford, which will have to be rebuilt, the NPS news release says.

"Storm overwash has moved sand across the backroad and affected boat access at docks. In other areas, erosion has affected boardwalks and other visitor areas. Abandoned vehicles have been uncovered and are on the beach. Trees are down in Portsmouth Village."

Meanwhile, the Foundation for Shackleford Horses and the National Park Service began a count of horses on Shackleford Banks, and a new foal thought to have been born on Sunday was seen. All horses appeared to be in good condition, the release says.