However, Auckland Transport (AT) said yesterday it was still working through approvals for the new operator, mostly finding suitable timetable slots that would enable safe and efficient use of the terminal wharves.
A spokesman said AT was trying to avoid a situation where several vessels converged on the wharf at one time and was talking to both companies.
All other maritime safety requirements had been met.
Running a ferry service on the 18km route between Downtown and Waiheke Island's Matiatia terminal has proved too hard for previous challengers to Fullers, owned by Scotland-based tycoon Sir Brian Souter.
Ten years ago, Pacific Ferries quit a gruelling three-year effort to compete with its three vessels in red Qantas livery.
Pacific's owner Stephen Young recalled yesterday that it could not compete with Fullers owning the buses which meet the ferries.
But Mr Young said Pacific proved a point that passengers wanted competition.
"My advice to the new challenger is to have the right boat for the service; [a] fuel-efficient, economical boat of the right capacity, and you need a spare vessel."
The Herald reported yesterday a wave of enthusiasm for competition on the Waiheke Island run, especially during the last two weeks when stop-gap vessels have been too small to meet demand while bigger ships were under repair.
Mr Goodfellow started Explore when he was 23 and has won leading business and eco-tourism awards for marine and land-based activities in the Bay of Islands and Auckland.
In 2006 he took over the Pride of Auckland sailing vessels out of Auckland after expanding his Sail NZ match-racing and corporate team-building venture.
The company will also run its vessel on tourism excursions between Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf islands of Rangitoto and Motutapu, for tourists and residents.
