Daufuskie residents report multiple ferry boardings by Coast Guard. What’s the reason?

Mary Dimitrov
·2 min read
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Daufuskie Island residents said the U.S. Coast Guard boarded the public ferry between Hilton Head and Daufuskie Islands again this week, marking their latest frustration with Beaufort County switching the ferry operator a month ago.

Residents saw three or four Coast Guardsman on the boat Wednesday morning and were told by crew members that the officers were measuring cargo, but it didn’t impact the schedule. According to residents, Lowcountry Ferry, the operator, is lining the perimeter of the boat with cargo, creating a potential safety violation by blocking passengers in the event of an evacuation.

Carry-on wagons – as seen at the front of the Manatee II – are used by islanders to bring supplies to Daufuskie Island as photographed on Jan. 31, 2024 at the C.C. Haigh, Jr. Boat Landing on Jenkins Island. Lowcountry Ferry, the operator of the boat, will only allow 15 wagons per trip for a boat that has a capacity of 50 riders. Drew Martn/dmartin@islandpacket.com

The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette requested reports of U.S. Coast Guard boarding activity and findings in January when space heaters were being used to warm the boats. The heaters are no longer in use, according to residents. At the time, Coast Guard spokesperson Ryan Dickinson said a Freedom of Information Act Request would be needed to release the details of the boarding and any potential safety violations.

Safety concerns are one of the multiple complaints Daufuskie Island residents have with the new ferry operator. Other complaints include inconsistent run times, lack of cargo space and increased prices.

Daufuskie Island, S.C. residents wait for their belongings after disembarking from the Manatee II, the new larger ferry contracted by Beaufort County to move people and their belongings to and from the island to the mainland as photographed on Jan. 31, 2024 at C.C. Haigh, Jr. Boat Landing on Jenkins Island. Drew Martin/dmartin@islandpacket.com
Daufuskie Island, S.C. residents wait for their belongings after disembarking from the Manatee II, the new larger ferry contracted by Beaufort County to move people and their belongings to and from the island to the mainland as photographed on Jan. 31, 2024 at C.C. Haigh, Jr. Boat Landing on Jenkins Island. Drew Martin/dmartin@islandpacket.com

Residents say many of these problems stem from the type of boat the Manatee II is — a tour boat— versus the larger boats proposed in the contract. The county is resolute that despite the discrepancies, Lowcountry Ferry is meeting the contract expectations.

Daufuskie Island resident Jeremey Quinn said that those expectations are below what the residents need to survive.

“You’re not providing what the community needs, you’re providing what the county asked you to provide,” he said to Lowcountry Ferry operator Neil Turner at a January meeting.

The papers reached Lowcountry Ferry on the phone Friday. A spokesperson declined to answer questions saying the operator would only respond to questions submitted in an email.