BY MILES LAYTON

EDENTON — State Rep. Ed Goodwin, R-Chowan, offered a detailed update Monday on the Harbor Town project, addressing concerns about the Albemarle Queen, fast ferries, and future development plans. Speaking to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Edenton Bell Battery, Goodwin said the project is progressing despite early challenges with boat operations and infrastructure.

“Two boats (fast ferries) sitting in the marina, they haven’t been moved since they got put out there,” Goodwin said, noting that the vessels were purchased western North Carolina. “They were… built by people who basically didn’t know what they were doing. And you can’t find somebody locally who knows about boats like that.”

Challenges with the two fast ferries, however, have led to discussions about their future. While there have been offers to buy the two boats, no sale has been finalized.

“They’ve been trying too, but they haven’t sold them yet,” Goodwin said. “Some people are coming up wanting to buy them, but they won’t sell them for that price.”

When asked whether the boats could be repaired instead of sold, Goodwin said, “Yeah, that’s been discussed. Probably the best thing to do is fix them so they’d be right, period.” He emphasized that when operating properly, the boats can travel at high speeds safely, a point that has impressed local residents and visitors alike.

Goodwin acknowledged that while the boats have not moved much, the operation has been financially successful. He highlighted the Harbor Town’s river boat — known locally as the Albemarle Queen — which has carried passengers for private events, birthday parties, and weddings.

“I’ve ridden from Manteo to Plymouth and Hertford, Elizabeth City, all the other places, and had some good food that was served on there,” Goodwin said. “The place was full. You couldn’t get another human being in there.”

On one recent trip, he said, a private party paid nearly $900 for an event aboard the boat, with food prepared on board and seating for nearly 100 guests. The meal was catered with food prepared off site.  

“Sun just going down, and we came back and the moon was up,” he recalled. “Never had to call anybody to come get us. We had plenty of food, something to drink, bathrooms — everything you needed.”

The Albemarle Queen was purchased in Florida and made the trip to Edenton via the Intracoastal Waterway. 

Goodwin described the boat as sturdy, designed to hug the water, and capable of handling the variable conditions of the Albemarle Sound.

“I’ve been on the Albemarle Queen, and when we were coming back in… the boat was just as steady as it could be,” he said.

Beyond the boats themselves, Goodwin noted that Harbor Town’s infrastructure and docking plans are moving forward.

“They’re working with it now,” he said, adding that discussions with local officials are ongoing to mark and coordinate the docking areas.

He said oversight from the state remains in place, as the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) monitors the project’s finances.

“They call the office every now and then. How’s everything going down there? And I’ll tell them. Then they’ll come down and see if I told them the truth. They haven’t kicked me out yet,” he said.

Goodwin framed the project as a work in progress, noting that public opinion will always include some critics.

“We knew when we started putting boats out there that people would get upset,” he said. “They wouldn’t like it no matter what. But when you get multiple weddings in a six-month period… it’s clear the project is working.”

He also described the experience of riding the Albemarle Queen as accessible and safe for a range of passengers.

“The first time we took it, I rode from downtown Edenton to Plymouth,” he said. “About five guys on there said, ‘This could be dangerous.’ I said, ‘You know how much this boat weighs? Watch this.’ We went out, saw the downtown from the water, and it was just flat. No waves or nothing. It stayed steady.”

Goodwin noted that Harbor Town’s operations extend beyond private events. He said the boats host community gatherings, celebrations, and even holiday events.

“Most of the young people like to get up there, play music, dance… but you wait when the Super Bowl is coming. Every year, that thing is paid out,” he said.

While acknowledging some early hurdles, Goodwin emphasized the economic potential of the Harbor Town project.

“When somebody tells me I can’t do something, that motivates me,” he said. “If that person thinks I don’t know what I’m doing, I wonder what they think about what they do. They’re doing absolutely nothing, and I’m doing something.”

Looking ahead, Goodwin said the project will continue to develop its docking areas and expand event offerings, with local officials coordinating on approvals and oversight. He also reiterated that repairs and adjustments to the boats remain an option, ensuring that the operation can continue safely and successfully.

For now, the Harbor Town paddle boats serve as a visible symbol of the project’s progress and its role in the region’s tourism and recreational offerings. Goodwin’s update painted a picture of ongoing work, challenges overcome, and a vision for future growth along Edenton’s waterfront.