Hampton DPW Director Seeking Exeter Boat Tours

Hampton's Public Works director has a dream of starting a boat tour business in Exeter to showcase the beauty of the Squamscott River and Great Bay Estuary.

But first, he needs approval from town officials.

Hampton Public Works Director Keith Noyes — a resident of Exeter and the town's former public works director – earlier this year to the Board of Selectmen about his proposal. The board gave it a lukewarm response, citing concerns about insurance and the condition of the town dock passengers would use.

Noyes' idea is to use a pontoon boat that would hold about a half-dozen people at a time. He said he would offer tours of the local ecosystem, and possibly run them during fall foliage season or during special events like the . He said he would "adopt" the town dock and make improvements to make it stable.

"I want (the tours) to be enjoyable and educational," he said, adding it would be a part-time operation. "I'm not going to get rich off this."

He said the tours would be open to children and the elderly. He said he would make accommodations for people with disabilities.

Noyes recently obtained his boating captain's license. He built the town dock on that he would now use to load passengers on the pontoon boat. The dock is currently used by kayakers and small boat owners.

Noyes said he plans to name his business "The Exeter Ferry Company." He would call the boat the "John Wheelwright" after Exeter's founder.

"I have been getting a lot of encouragement and support from residents in town," he said. "I’m looking forward to providing an enjoyable opportunity to people."

Town officials have agreed to review Noyes' plan. He may speak to selectmen about it next month as it moves forward.

Noyes said he would like to see his tour business running by the summer of 2013.