Guam committee holds public hearing on Resolution 279‑32 COR to study ferry service to CNMI

The Committee on Municipal Affairs, Tourism, Housing and Restoration and Redevelopment of the Guam Legislature held a public hearing on Resolution 279‑32 COR, which seeks to promote affordable regional transportation between Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) by means of ferry service or a similar vessel.

The resolution drew testimony from CNMI and Guam officials, local elected leaders and residents who urged the committee to authorize feasibility work and consider a pilot route — most often suggested as Guam–Rota — while flagging safety, wave conditions and long-term financing as issues that must be resolved before service could begin.

The resolution matters because proponents say a ferry could provide an alternative to air service, support tourism and commerce, and serve as a lifeline during natural disasters or when air service is interrupted. Thomas Jacob Camacho, who identified himself as the governor’s special assistant for public transportation and chairman of the Commonwealth Public Transportation Advisory Board, told the committee the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority (COTA) "stands ready to work with local stakeholders, implement those recommendations" should a sea route be found viable.

Camacho described COTA’s role and ongoing planning. He said COTA was created by statute and opened in August 2011, currently operates demand‑response services, and…