WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- The Convention Center has brought folks to Wilmington, but is it enough? Some folks say the lack of lodging is keeping them from choosing the Cape Fear facility. One man says he has a solution.

John Voet says a hotel ship is just what Wilmington needs. He says if he docks along the Riverwalk, he thinks many folks would come to the area to stay in the hotel and people from the area could utilize the ship as well.

He says instead of waiting for a hotel to be built, which could take years, the city should give the go ahead to his hotel ship, which could be ready to hosts guests in months.

Voet says he thinks the facility would attract more folks to the Convention Center as well, giving Wilmington an edge on the competition.

"These hotel ships at 115 cabins, and we have two that we could bring to Wilmington nearly immediately to sit on our waterfront here in Wilmington to serve as a new attraction bringing in new day visitors to Wilmington and also to supplement the needs for downtown hotel space," Voet said.

Voet says the city has its problems with the idea, but he just doesn't get it. He says this is the Port City and having ships on the riverfront is a part of our culture. He says there is no reason not to move forward with the idea.

Voet says Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo has been to Florida to see the hotel ships, but the city won't move forward with the idea. We tried to talk to Saffo this afternoon, but have not heard back from him. We will try to get some answers at tonight's Wilmington City Council meeting.