WPRI — Town leaders, residents debate future of Jamestown-Newport Ferry

WPRI

Mar 8, 2023 — Updated Mar 9, 2023

By Kayla Fish WPRI Channel 12 News — JAMESTOWN, RI — The Jamestown-Newport Ferry, which has operated since 1993, is in deep water.

The Jamestown Town Council and Conanicut Marine Services (CMS) have been struggling to come to an agreement over how and where the ferry should operate.

The bitter dispute played out before the Jamestown Harbor Commission Wednesday night.

The town council said its use agreement offer for a portion of the town dock and pier was rejected by CMS last month.

Discussions ended there, according to CMS, which means right now, no ferry will run to and from Jamestown.

The two sides disagree over who controls the portion of the dock and pier where the ferry is located. The town council argues it should be accessible to the boating public, while lawyers representing CMS believe it has a lease agreement to utilize the space.

“We just don’t agree,” councilor Michael White said. “We don’t really see any end to that not agreeing.”

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