Citizen activists in Portsmouth are asking the city and state to consider a ferry from the Port of New Hampshire to Provincetown.
The group – which calls itself “Promote Our Port,” made its case at city hall. Their audience included a staffer from US Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s office, state Senator Martha Fuller-Clark, and City Manager John Bohenko.
For now the port is being used as a staging area for the new Sarah Long Bridge.
Bob Hassold is at the helm of the Portsmouth-to-Provincetown Ferry concept. He says the port’s contract with Maine DOT gives New Hampshire plenty of time to strategize.
"We want the port to stay marine related, we want to see cargo, and moving passengers and people through the site."
Hassold says travel time to Provincetown would be two and a half hours, and that businesses on the Cape have indicated interest in receiving supplies via a ferry’s cargo hold.
An effort to bring similar ferry service between Provincetown and Portsmouth was nearly completed in 2001. In the end, a competing offer for the designated vessel won out.
Portsmouth will host the Provincetown harbormaster, city manager, and a member of their chamber of commerce in October.
Copyright 2015 New Hampshire Public Radio
