Dreams of Ferries

            At the invitation of Brian Roth, mayor of Plymouth (NC), I attended a conference last week to hear the latest on the Harbor Town High Speed Ferry project. I was highly disappointed.

            The main speaker was State Representative Ed Goodwin (1^st District) who has been the project’s most enthusiastic supporter since the idea was first conceived in 1993. Which makes one wonder why a project envisioned 26 years ago has not yet come to fruition.

            There was no lack of enthusiasm in the room, as most attendees were local residents, and Plymouth stands to benefit greatly if the Harbor Town project ever materializes. The idea is to bring ferry service to towns along the Albemarle Sound, like Columbia, Edenton, Hertford, Plymouth, and even Manteo and Elizabeth City. Conceivably, most of the passengers would be tourists exploring these towns—and infusing them with dollars, thereby contributing to their growth and financial welfare.

            Unfortunately, Representative Goodwin did not provide the attendees with a business plan to match their enthusiasm. Some of his optimism comes from the success of the Hatteras-Okracoke ferry. But ferries sailing the Albemarle Sound would face a different set of operational and financial challenges.

            It would appear at this stage that the Harbor Town High Speed Ferry project is still a dream that has not awakened from its 26-year slumber.