On a biennial basis, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) conducts a census of all ferry operators operating in the United States and its territories.  The information collected from the census is maintained in a national ferry database containing information regarding ferry routes, vessels, passengers and vehicles carried, funding sources and other information. BTS conducted the initial NCFO in 2006 and has subsequently conducted the NCFO in 2008, 2010, 2014, and 2016. The data collection for the next NCFO will begin in the Spring of 2018.