Power boat!

After almost five months of darkness, electricity to the Neuse II was restored today.

The dispute between the boat and the city was resolved today when Larry Bailey, a board member of The Last Firebase, and retired college president Bruce Petteway met today with Kinston City Manager Ralph Clark. The Last Firebase is the non-profit veterans group that owns the boat.

The city disconnected power to the boat in November after saying the electrical connection was illegal.

“I feel like we have arrived at a path to follow from here on out,” Bailey, a retired U.S. Navy captain, said. “We’ve removed the obstacles that have impeded the past.”

Clark said power would be restored to the boat by 8 a.m. Friday, but the job was done earlier. The Last Firebase, in return, will not allow official tours of the Neuse II until construction is completed. The organization also will have electrical work inspected by a state-certified engineer.

“I met with Bruce a half dozen times to get everything back on line,” Clark said. “He asked a lot of questions and we had frank discussions. It was great to work with him, and with Larry. The thing of it is everybody has looked at us as being the bad guys. We’ve got a job to do. Public safety is important to us.”

Other conditions set by the city include having all permanent and temporary wiring installed and approved to state standards, installing a temporary load center to eliminate extension cords, setting a 15-person limit for tours after construction is finished, installing fire extinguishers every 75 feet, marking exterior steps to prevent waiting lines, installing emergency lights inside and illuminating exits, identifying exits with signs, installing handrails on interior stairs, making sure the platform leading to the boat’s interior can support 100 pounds per square foot, and a ban on sleeping aboard the boat.

“Some of these are minor things that we thought were important to protect the public,” Clark said. “Many of the things we had on our list have probably already been done.”

Clark and Bailey gave credit for the agreement to Petteway, former president of both N.C. Wesleyan University and College of the Albemarle.

“Working on this felt like something that ought to be done,” Petteway said. “It bothered me. I went to see Ted (Sampley) and we got (The Last Firebase) board together.”

The boat has suffered financial problems that became more serious after the dispute with the city arose. Petteway said he is confident ways will be found to raise more funds and complete the Neuse II.

“I don’t think anyone could ever deny the boat would not be an asset to the city,” Clark said. “When Ted brought the plans in and said he going to build the boat, we said ‘The hell you are.’ That thing was so large. They have done a tremendous job of getting it where it is today. We became interested when they started having public tours. With Larry and Bruce’s persistence it will move on and get finished.”