Daufuskie Island Residents Demand Safety Reforms After Tragic Dock Collapse on Sapelo Island

Sapelo Island, S.C.: A Community in Mourning and Fear After Tragedy Strikes

Residents of Daufuskie Island are feeling a mix of heartache and anxiety following a tragic dock collapse on nearby Sapelo Island that claimed the lives of seven individuals. Just like Sapelo, Daufuskie Island is also cut off from the mainland, relying on ferry services to transport residents and visitors.

Calls for Safer Practices

In recent months, the residents of Daufuskie Island have been increasingly vocal during a series of meetings with Beaufort County officials. Their message has been clear: hold the ferry service accountable for better safety practices. The ferry service, operated by Lowcountry Ferry, was contracted by the county in January of this year. However, concerns about safety have only grown.

Local leaders like Mike Hubbard, the chair of the Daufuskie Island Council, are hopeful that this tragic incident will serve as a serious wake-up call for Beaufort County. “It’s time for them to take our concerns seriously,” said Hubbard. “After months of us expressing worries about the safety of the Melrose Landing Dock, we can only hope that they will finally act.”

Safety Meetings and Inspections

In the wake of the Sapelo Island incident, the county organized a meeting on October 21 to discuss dock safety. Officials mentioned that they have requested inspections for all county docks and emphasized that maintenance is conducted regularly. However, the real complication lies in the fact that the Melrose dock, which has been deteriorating, is not county-owned but is leased by the ferry operator from an outside vendor.

Hank Amundson, the Assistant County Administrator, stated that while they don’t directly oversee the dock, they are actively collaborating with Lowcountry Ferry to ensure safety measures are prioritized. “We are committed to working with the contractor, even though the lease agreement is between Lowcountry Ferry and the dock owners,” Amundson explained.

Frustration Among Residents

Despite these assurances from county officials, many residents express deep frustration over the lack of action regarding repairs and maintenance of the Melrose Landing Dock. According to residents like Freddie Grant Jr., they are living in a state of uncertainty. “It could have been us, and it has been us,” he lamented, referencing a previous incident where a man found himself in peril after a dock collapse.

Grant’s comments highlight a palpable sense of fear among the islanders. “If Beaufort County doesn’t do something soon, it’s only a matter of time before we find ourselves in a similar situation,” he said firmly. The ongoing ambiguity surrounding who is responsible for dock ownership and inspection only adds to the residents’ sense of helplessness.

A Hope for Change

Many islanders are pleading for action, regardless of who owns the dock. Their sentiment is simple: safety must come first. They are urging the county to continue holding dock owners and ferry operators accountable, hoping to see real changes implemented sooner rather than later.

This tragic event has fueled their yearning for transformations that they have long hoped for. With unified voices echoing through community meetings, residents feel that if nothing else, *this tragedy must not go unnoticed*.

As the community comes to terms with the devastating loss on Sapelo Island, Daufuskie Island residents look forward with cautious optimism, desperately wishing for swift actions to ensure the safety of their own dock and all who depend on it.