Does a new Daufuskie ferryboat mean goodbye to old problems? What are passengers saying?

A second boat for the Daufuskie Island ferry service was approved by Beaufort County, as the service provider looks to end the battle over compliance with the county’s contract.

Since Lowcountry Ferry took over the contract in January, Daufuskie Island residents have repeatedly asked the council to terminate the contract. Despite multiple private executive sessions, the council has stayed the course on working with the service provider despite disputes over safety, air conditioning, parcel transportation and disability access.

“We have no choice. We have to ride that boat. That’s the only we can get food to eat. That’s the only way we can go to the doctors,” said Yvonne Wilson at the last county council meeting.

The new boat, the Queen Jean, started making trips last week, according to islanders. According to passengers, the new boat has some advantages over the Manatee II including easier access and more storage but it doesn’t address the basic need that has sparked the nine-month-long dispute.

Coast Guard approved but safety issues in question

“I have been stationed on board naval ships during my career, said 59-year-old Navy Veteran Sue Sablosky, “I don’t think it’s safe at all.”

Sablosky said when she rode the boat she noticed painted-over rotting wood and metal hanging off the bow of the ship. Riders of the new boat also pointed out that it lacks a bathroom, which can be troublesome when trips on and off the island take around an hour.

“I don’t know how (council is) ignoring these past eight months and everything that’s happened,” Sablosky said. “I don’t know how they can extend (Lowcountry Ferry’s) deadlines again and again.”

The lack of an adequate backup boat and inconsistently functioning air conditioning on the Manatee II, the main vessel, were outstanding issues that led the county administration to issue a notice of non-compliance to Lowcountry Ferry’s owner, Neil Turner, in early July.

The newly approved backup boat, the Queen Jean, is a 53-year-old vessel previously used for fishing and excursions off the coast of Topsail Beach, North Carolina. The boat passed an inspection from the U.S. Coast Guard, the agency confirmed saying it “met all requirements to operate as a small passenger vessel in accordance with applicable federal regulations.”

Compliance battle continues

While having an approved backup boat addresses Lowcountry Ferry compliance with the county’s contract, the service provider’s legal issues are far from over. A letter dated Aug. 2, from Disability Rights South Carolina states that Beaufort County is failing to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Namely, problems with accessibility to the boat, lack of assistance for disabled passengers, inadequate vessel capacity and unsafe conditions.

“These deficiencies continue to challenge the lives and livelihoods of people with disabilities who live on the Island, their family members and personal aides as well as tourists who are disabled, or prohibit them from using the public ferry system,” the letter reads.

If Beaufort County does not address these issues, the DRSC letter makes it clear that litigation will follow. However, the letter states their willingness to avoid litigation by reaching a settlement with the county.

County Administrator Michael Moore previously said he wished to avoid the situation going to court and was “looking into those concerns.” Moore said that Turner was “doing what he can to resolve all of this,” and has been receptive to making changes.