Avoca Island ferry hours changing

St. Mary Chief Administrative officer Henry “Bo” LaGrange announced the operating hours of the Avoca Island Ferry are changing to 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.

For 41 years, the ferry has always operated from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., toting passengers to this 16,000-acre private island just off Morgan City’s coast. Since October 2008, the island has been the full-time home of only one resident, a caretaker.

Since 2005, taxpayers have paid nearly $1 million to keep the vessel afloat, despite hefty operating costs, fuel, insurance costs and liability issues. The island also serves as the site for a private hunting club, as well as various oil and gas interests.