New Beaufort Co. administrator warns Daufuskie ferry owner things need to change now

The owner of the ferry service between Hilton Head and Daufuskie islands must buy or lease a new backup boat by next week, according to a written exchange between Lowcountry Ferry and the Beaufort County Administrator.

The letters between new County Administrator Michael Moore and ferry owner Neil Turner detailed the county’s notice of contract violation to the service. Moore cited concerns with provider Lowcountry Ferry’s inadequate backup boats and air conditioning. The notice of non-compliance was the first time in seven months of operation that the county publicly acknowledged a problem with the ferry and is the first step in the contract termination process. Moore also cited the county’s right to default on the contract if the service doesn’t make adjustments.

The exchanges showed disagreement between Turner and Moore over what is required in the contract. Turner wrote the service has always been compliant with the contract. Turner also claimed that the notification was the first time Beaufort County solicited Lowcountry Ferry’s input, despite county council members saying they had been working with Lowcountry Ferry to resolve issues since January .

The letters show Turner’s initial long-term plan to purchase a boat within 120 days, which Moore dismissed, demanding more immediate action.

Messages left to Lowcountry Ferry on Wednesday were not returned. Moore and county attorney Brittany Ward weren’t available for comment.

Beaufort County started contracting Lowcountry Ferry for the service in January, ending the seven-year period that Haig Point Community Associates held the contract due to cost. Haig Point asked the county to pay $1.02 million annually for the contract, up from the past year’s $375,000 and Lowcountry Ferry’s bid of $365,000.

When Beaufort County awarded Lowcountry Ferry the contract for ferry service between Hilton Head and the remote island, the contract and Lowcountry Ferry’s proposal outlined two United States Coast Guard-approved ferry boats rated for at least 40 passengers each. The contract also required air conditioning.

In a first letter to Turner, dated July 3, Moore asserts that the current fleet doesn’t meet backup boat and air conditioning requirements. The Manatee II serves as the main boat, but in case of emergency, one of two backup catamarans named the Sol and Ohana fill in. This has been the case for four days since January, according to Turner’s letters.

Turner responded in a letter seven business days later on July 10. In that letter, Turner said he is “confident that I am and have been in full compliance with the contract.” He wrote “to date marks the first attempt by Beaufort County to solicit any input from me on these issues” and said that the Island Packet’s coverage and Daufuskie residents could “generate pressure and steer conversations.” He wrote that the Manatee II has a new HVAC system for air conditioning.

In the same letter, Turner wrote a “confidential plan will be forthcoming” and said he had plans to upgrade the Sol and Ohana.

Moore responded two days later, on July 13, referencing a “long-term” plan that would take at least 120 days with “several unknowns and contingencies.” The long-term plan wasn’t included in the letters. Moore wrote that the long-term plan to upgrade the boats wasn’t sufficient and Lowcountry Ferry needed a more immediate, “short-term” plan.

On July 15, Lowcountry Ferry gave its short-term plan.

“We have secured access, within 30 days from today, to two additional vessels to serve as our 3rd and 4th alternate options in the event the Manatee could not run,” the plan read.

Both boats are certified for at least 40 passengers and are based out of Hilton Head Island. The boats are called the Vagabond and the Drifter. Turner wrote that they would still use the Sol and Ohana.

One day later, Moore responded that availability to lease would not be enough. Lowcountry Ferry must buy or lease a second boat by August 9. Once that boat is approved, he wrote that the Sol and Ohana would no longer be approved, going against Turner’s assertion that the service would still use the Sol and Ohana.