‘Catastrophic Failure’ Blamed for Deadly Gangway Collapse That Killed 7 on Georgia’s Sapelo Island

Officials said that the “catastrophic” failure of an aluminum ferry gangway was responsible for the death of seven people on Saturday who were attending a cultural event at historic Sapelo Island, off the coast of Georgia.

 

Walter Rabon, the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), said at a press conference that three other people had been critically injured and were still hospitalized on Sunday afternoon.

 

Rabon stated that Charles Houston was among those who died. He served as the chaplain of both the Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

 

Rabon stated that the aluminum gangway installed in November 2021 at the Marsh Landing Dock of Sapelo Island gave way under the weight of people boarding a ferry to leave the Island.

 

“One end was in the water.” “One end of the gangway, on the landward side, was still attached,” Rabon added, adding that it was supported by standing platforms. At the time of this incident, the ferry Annemarie had been moored at a stationary dock adjacent to one of those platforms.

 

Rabon said that it is still under investigation as to how many people were standing on the gangway at the time it collapsed. He said that at least 20 people were in the water, and another 20 people including DNR employees and good Samaritans jumped in and tried to save them.

 

Rabon stated that “their rapid response and actions saved additional lives yesterday”

 

Rabon stated that the gangway is routinely inspected every day, but added “I cannot say that we go up and inspect it every day.”

 

The initial findings of Rabon’s investigation show that the gangway collapsed due to a catastrophic failure.

 

 

Rabon reported that the number of tourists to the island increased to 700 on Saturday from the normal daily average of less than 100. He said that the Gullah Geechee, descendants of Africans brought as slaves to the south-east United States, held an annual cultural event on the island on Saturday.

 

Rabon stated that a second ferry as well as additional runs on Saturday were added to accommodate the large number of people.

 

In response to reporters’ questions about whether the increased stress caused by the additional ferry runs was a possible factor in the collapse of the bridge, Rabon replied, “At the moment, I wouldn’t rule anything out as a possibility.”

 

He said that as part of their investigation, investigators reviewed the maintenance records for the gangway.

 

“What I can tell you is that the structure has failed,” Rabon stated that an aluminum gangway should require very little maintenance.

 

During the Sunday news conference, J.R. Grovner spoke out, claiming he had complained four months earlier to one of the ferry captains regarding the condition of the gangway.

 

I told one of the captains on the ferry that the gangway was not stable. Grovner stated that he raised concerns with the boat’s railing, saying that it did not lock the property into the slot. He also complained to the U.S. Coast Guard regarding the overcapacity of ferries.

 

Rabon stated, “At the moment, I am not aware of any complaints.”

 

 

Officials said that the first 911 call was received by authorities at around 3:50 pm about the collapse of the gangway at the landing dock for visitors. This incident led to a massive emergency response, which included local authorities, Georgia State Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard, and sheriffs’ deputies in McIntosh County, Camden County, and the McIntosh County fire department. Rescue crews tried to locate and save people by using helicopters and boats with sonar.

 

Rabon announced Sunday that everyone who entered the water was accounted for.

 

A team of engineers and construction workers was to assist in the investigation.

 

Late Saturday night, the White House released a press release from Joe Biden.

 

Biden stated in a statement that he was “heartbroken” to hear about the collapse of the walkway on the Sapelo Island ferry dock. What should have been an exciting celebration of Gullah Geechee’s history and culture turned into tragedy. Jill and I mourn the loss of life and pray for those injured or still missing. Also, we are grateful for the first responders who were on the scene. “My team is in contact with local and state officials and we are ready to offer any assistance to the community that could be beneficial.”

 

In a statement released on Saturday, Vice President Kamala Harris said that she was “pray[ing] for all those killed or injured by the collapse of Sapelo Island’s ferry dock walkway.”

 

Our administration has been in constant contact with local and state officials and we have offered all the federal assistance that may be needed by the community. “As always, we’re deeply grateful for our first responders’ heroism,” Harris said in a statement.

 

She said they would “continue to honor and celebrate the Gullah Geechee’s history, culture, and resilience” in the face of this tragedy.

 

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp expressed his sadness and asked for prayers.

 

Sapelo Island lies about 70 miles south-southwest of Savannah, Georgia.

 

The Georgia Department of National Resources is responsible for managing Sapelo Island. It contains a research reserve, as well as the Hog Hammock Community, a small community, made up of about a dozen residents, all descendants of African Americans who were enslaved.

 

According to the National Park Service, the Gullah-Geechee are descendants of Africans brought as slaves to the southeast U.S. and settled primarily along the coast. They were relatively isolated, which allowed them to preserve many of their African indigenous traditions.

 

Beverly and Irvin, husband and wife, said that they were on the gangway at the time of its collapse. Irvin Jones claimed he felt the gangway slip and decided to jump on the floating dock after a split-second decision.

 

Irvin Jones: “We were almost at the boat when I felt it begin to slide backward, like a ship going backward.” “So I jumped and leaped. Two girls fell into the water behind me. The whole ramp collapsed and fell in.”

 

Irvin Jones added, “It happened so fast, people couldn’t react. It was sad. It was so sad. It was horrible. Not even eight feet from me, I see one guy already drowned. One lady just jumped in to try to save a baby.”

 

Beverly Jones reported that she saw parents trying to hold onto their children in the water.

 

Beverly Jones described the situation as “horrible”. “They were holding on.” “There was nothing to grab onto.”