Making waves that have a ripple effect is at the heart of a new initiative to make the North Carolina Ferry System more sustainable, beginning with the Southport and Fort Fisher visitor centers. Riders will find only aluminum cans for water, soda and other drinks in the vending machines. Last year, the ferry system also added water refill stations—another measure to reduce single-use plastic.
This strong connection to sustainability is forged out of a symbiotic relationship between the ferry system and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF). With the ferry landing two minutes from the Aquarium, those traveling from Brunswick County often do so on the Southport Ferry.
“As a ferry commuter, I was seeing firsthand that the riders were often coming out of the ferry visitor centers with plastic bottles, especially during the hot summer months. As the communications manager at the Aquarium, finding solutions to eliminating single-use plastic is a priority, so we partnered with the Southport Fort Fisher ferry, sharing our resources and expertise to inspire change,” said Deyanira Romo Rossell, communications manager, NCAFF.
Bradley Kenobi, the Southport Ferry security guard, began making calls and sharing information about the negative effects of single-use plastic on marine life with his team. From there, the sustainability project to switch out the drink vending machines from plastic to aluminum quickly picked up steam.
Just in time for the heavy tourism season and hot summer months, Kenobi celebrated the arrival of four replacement drink machines at the Southport visitor center and three at Fort Fisher in June. Once ferry riders arrive at the Aquarium, they will find only aluminum can vending machines as well, along with water refill stations and compostable products at the on-site concessionaire.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program ten of the top items found around the world during the 2018 International Coastal Cleanup were single-use plastic items, including cigarette butts, food wrappers, straws, single-use cutlery, beverage bottles, bottle caps, grocery bags and other plastic bags, lids, and cups and plates.
These are the impacts of single-use plastic:
- Entanglement: Marine life can get caught and killed in derelict fishing nets and other plastic debris.
- Ingestion: Animals can easily mistake plastic debris for food
“It is heartening to work with partners who are passionate about protecting our ocean and marine life. It’s also a reminder that anyone can help by refusing, reducing, reusing and recycling no matter where you are,” said Romo Rossell.
To find out more about the impacts of single-use plastic and how anyone can be a part of the solution, visit Conservation Action.
YouTube Video: Video of Southport Ferry Vending Machines
Photo caption: Bradley Kenobi, Southport Ferry security guard and Deyanira Romo Rossell, communications manager at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, celebrate sustainability with the arrival of aluminum can vending machines.
Aquarium Tickets Required
Online tickets are required prior to arriving at the Aquarium. Reservations are available at NCAFF Admissions.
About the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington, on U.S. 421. The site is less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $12.95 ages 13-61; $10.95 children ages 3-12; $11.95 seniors (62 and older) and military with valid identification; EBT card holders: $3. Free admission for children 2 and younger and N.C. Aquarium Society members and N.C. Zoo members.
About the North Carolina Ferry System
North Carolina's ferry system consists of 23 ferries and everyday service on seven regular routes across the Currituck and Pamlico sounds as well as the Cape Fear, Neuse and Pamlico rivers.
Two routes – Hatteras-Ocracoke and Ocracoke-Cedar Island – are officially part of the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway.
To view a schedule for a particular route, visit NC DOT Ferry Schedule.