LEWES, Del. – At approximately 11:00 a.m. this morning, the Cape May – Lewes Ferry registered its 50 millionth passenger at the Lewes Ferry Terminal.  Zach Kaltenbach, originally of Long Beach Island, New Jersey purchased a ticket for the 11:15 a.m. departure bound for Cape May, New Jersey aboard the MV New Jersey. 

 Zach and his girlfriend, Jody, with daughters, Finley and Harbor, now reside in Millsboro, Delaware with their canines, Daxx and Kiwi.  The Kaltenbachs are traveling aboard the Ferry for a baby shower in Cape May, N.J. this weekend.  The family frequently travels aboard the Cape May – Lewes Ferry, using the Delaware Bay service multiple times per month to visit Zach’s parents who now reside in Cape May, New Jersey.  

Heath Gehrke, Director of Ferry Operations, who was joined by DRBA Executive Director Tom Cook and DRBA Commissioner Ted Becker, presented two tote bags with a gift package of Cape May - Lewes Ferry logo items, free passage today on the Ferry, and a certificate valid for future travel aboard the Cape May – Lewes Ferry.
 
For almost sixty years, the Cape May - Lewes Ferry has offered continuous service for residents and visitors alike between the Cape May, New Jersey and Lewes, Delaware resort regions. In addition to 50 million passengers, the popular ferry service has transported more than 16 million vehicles in its history.   

On July 1, 1964, the first ferry vessel departed the Lewes terminal at 6:47 a.m., carrying eight vehicles and fifteen passengers.  The 11:15 a.m. departure from Lewes, Delaware was sold out with nearly 100 vehicles and more than 200 passengers. 
 
About the Cape May-Lewes Ferry 
Owned and operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority, the Cape May – Lewes Ferry is open year-round and has carried more than 50 million passengers since its inception on July 1, 1964. As an integral transportation system connecting the communities and economies on both sides of the Delaware Bay, the Ferry service is a significant catalyst for economic growth and regional tourism activity in New Jersey and Delaware. Its operations sustain over 4,000 jobs while generating tens of millions of dollars in local taxes and hundreds of millions in regional economic activity. For schedules and rates, please visit www.CMLF.com or call 800-643-3779. 

50 Millionth terminal:  Pictured left to right are Director of Ferry Operations, Heath Gehrke; Zach Kaltenbach, Harbor Kaltenbach, Finley Kaltenbach, Jody Kaltenbach, Executive Director Thomas J. Cook, and DRBA Commissioner Ted Becker.

50 Millionth aboard vessel:  Pictured left to right are Finley Kaltenbach, Jody Kaltenbach, Ferry Captain Jim Harkin, Zach Kaltenbach and Harbor Kaltenbach.