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Portsmouth looks to attract small cruise ships to port
Portsmouth - City councilors hope that attracting cruise ships to the Port City will boost the economy - much like did the influx of visitors for the four tall ships last month.
The City Council on Monday voted to create a cruise ship committee that will work to attract vessels to visit the area. Councilor Ken Smith had suggested and said many downtown business owners have asked for the city to explore this issue.
Smith said he is also talking about bringing in ferries or other types of ships and that not all of the vessels have to come into the Port of New Hampshire. Other places could be discussed, he said, adding vessels could be brought into the New Castle pier or perhaps Four Tree Island. Also, cruise ships have tied up at the Granite State Minerals salt pier.
"It doesn't always have to be about the port. There are other things you can do. This city has had boats up and down its river for hundreds of years and the only place you can build a boat is the port? Please," Smith said.
Smith added that he is not talking about big cruise ships of 1,000 people, but smaller ships. He said the committee should set a time limit of about six months and analyze if the city can accommodate the cruise ships, what homeland security issues exist, and what city resources are required.
"It's not just: bring a cruise ship, 'yes' or 'no,'" he said. "To do all of that coordination is a ton of work."
City Manager John Bohenko pointed out there are practical issues to consider, including the fact that the Pease Development Authority Division of Ports and Harbors and Port Advisory Council handle these maritime issues and control the waterways. Also, Bohenko said city staff does not have anyone with expertise on this topic and such a committee would have to be staffed by somebody.
Smith said he has already spoken with people who could serve on the committee including Donald Coker, chairman of the Piscataqua Maritime Commission, which brings in the tall ships, pilot P.J. Johnston and Robin Whittaker of the Isles of Shoals Steamship Co.
Coker, who spoke before the council on Monday night, said he did an informal poll of businesses downtown, as well as the gas stations along Route 1, which saw record-breaking business, during the tall ship visits on July 6, 7, 8.
"It was unanimous. That weekend was the biggest weekend of the summer," he said.
He said attracting the tall ships is not "rocket science." "We identify the possible ships that can physically fit into our harbor and port facility and we go out into our harbor and chase them," he said.
He encouraged the council to form this committee but said it will not be overnight.
"Should you decide to move forward with this committee, it may be years before cruise ships are able to work Portsmouth into their itinerary," he said.
"We'll go find the ships. We'll get them to come here and that will put one more piece of the puzzle in place to make this community vibrant and alive and growing," he said.
Mayor Steve Marchand said he would identify members of the committee at the next meeting.
The City Council on Monday voted to create a cruise ship committee that will work to attract vessels to visit the area. Councilor Ken Smith had suggested and said many downtown business owners have asked for the city to explore this issue.
Smith said he is also talking about bringing in ferries or other types of ships and that not all of the vessels have to come into the Port of New Hampshire. Other places could be discussed, he said, adding vessels could be brought into the New Castle pier or perhaps Four Tree Island. Also, cruise ships have tied up at the Granite State Minerals salt pier.
"It doesn't always have to be about the port. There are other things you can do. This city has had boats up and down its river for hundreds of years and the only place you can build a boat is the port? Please," Smith said.
Smith added that he is not talking about big cruise ships of 1,000 people, but smaller ships. He said the committee should set a time limit of about six months and analyze if the city can accommodate the cruise ships, what homeland security issues exist, and what city resources are required.
"It's not just: bring a cruise ship, 'yes' or 'no,'" he said. "To do all of that coordination is a ton of work."
City Manager John Bohenko pointed out there are practical issues to consider, including the fact that the Pease Development Authority Division of Ports and Harbors and Port Advisory Council handle these maritime issues and control the waterways. Also, Bohenko said city staff does not have anyone with expertise on this topic and such a committee would have to be staffed by somebody.
Smith said he has already spoken with people who could serve on the committee including Donald Coker, chairman of the Piscataqua Maritime Commission, which brings in the tall ships, pilot P.J. Johnston and Robin Whittaker of the Isles of Shoals Steamship Co.
Coker, who spoke before the council on Monday night, said he did an informal poll of businesses downtown, as well as the gas stations along Route 1, which saw record-breaking business, during the tall ship visits on July 6, 7, 8.
"It was unanimous. That weekend was the biggest weekend of the summer," he said.
He said attracting the tall ships is not "rocket science." "We identify the possible ships that can physically fit into our harbor and port facility and we go out into our harbor and chase them," he said.
He encouraged the council to form this committee but said it will not be overnight.
"Should you decide to move forward with this committee, it may be years before cruise ships are able to work Portsmouth into their itinerary," he said.
"We'll go find the ships. We'll get them to come here and that will put one more piece of the puzzle in place to make this community vibrant and alive and growing," he said.
Mayor Steve Marchand said he would identify members of the committee at the next meeting.
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