ATLANTA – The Sapelo Island Ferry resumed operations Monday following the weekend collapse of a gangway that killed seven and seriously injured three others.
The incident occurred during the annual Sapelo Cultural Day celebration of the Georgia barrier island’s Gullah Geechee community, descendants of enslaved West Africans.
At least 20 people went into the water when the 80-foot gangway at Sapelo’s Marsh Landing Dock collapsed at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which operates the ferry, along with personnel from other local and federal agencies responded to the scene with boats equipped with side-scan solar and with helicopters, securing the gangway and accounting for all of the victims.
DNR officials said Sunday that the gangway was inspected last December by Crescent Equipment Co. However, the area has been hit by three tropical storms this year.
Georgia Commissioner of Natural Resources Walter Rabon said the collapse was caused by a “catastrophic failure” of the gangway’s aluminum structure. The DNR is investigating to determine the cause of the collapse, working with the Georgia State Patrol, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, the McIntosh County Fire Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
“Our hearts continue to go out to the victims, their families, and all of those involved in Saturday’s tragic occurrence on Sapelo Island,” Rabon said Monday. “We will allow the investigators to take their time and conduct a thorough investigation.”
Among the victims was Charles Houston of Darien, who served as a chaplain for the DNR. None of the victims were residents of Sapelo Island, which is accessible only by boat.