Bald Head Island Transportation Authority
About the Authority
Our mission, history, and governing structure
- Established
- By Act of the NC General Assembly
- Service Area
- Bald Head Island, Brunswick County, NC
- Governing Body
- Board of Directors
- Meetings
- Monthly, open to the public
Our Mission
The Bald Head Island Transportation Authority (BHITA) is a public authority established under North Carolina law to provide safe, reliable, and efficient ferry and barge transportation services between the mainland and Bald Head Island and convenient parking services on the mainland.
The Authority operates as an independent governmental entity, accountable to the public it serves. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that ferry, barge, and parking services remain accessible, dependable, and responsive to the needs of island residents, property owners, and visitors.
History
The Bald Head Island Transportation Authority was established by the North Carolina General Assembly to provide a permanent, publicly accountable structure for managing ferry and barge transportation to and from Bald Head Island — a barrier island accessible only by water.
The Authority is in negotiations with Bald Head Island Transportation, Bald Head Island Limited, and SharpVue to acquire by purchase or lease the assets of the transportation system. If that acquisition takes place, the Authority will oversee the operation and maintenance of ferry and barge vessels, terminal facilities, parking facilities, and related infrastructure, ensuring that the island community remains "connected" to the mainland.
Governing Structure
The Authority is governed by a Board of Directors appointed in accordance with its enabling legislation. The Board is responsible for setting policy, approving budgets, and providing oversight of Authority operations.
The Board meets regularly in public session, and all meetings are open to the public in accordance with North Carolina's open meetings law. Executive sessions closed to the public are held only for strictly limited purposes set forth in the law. Because the Authority is engaged in active negotiations, many meetings include a closed session to allow discussion of negotiating positions and strategy and to consult with the Authority's counsel. Meeting agendas and approved minutes of the public sessions are posted on this website.