Survivors of the October dock collapse on Sapelo Island that left seven dead and others injured shared their harrowing testimonies during a Georgia Senate hearing earlier this year. Now, months later, a new gangway has been installed at the Marsh Landing Dock, designed to prevent similar tragedies and restore safety for the Gullah Geechee community and visitors.
The updated gangway, measuring 91 feet in length and 8 feet in width, can support up to 260 people or 52,000 pounds. Installed by Myrick Marine Contracting Corp. of Savannah, Georgia, the new structure incorporates reinforced crosspieces to enhance stability. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), an identical gangway was also installed at the Meridian Ferry Dock on the mainland as a precautionary measure. Local resident Christ Bailey expressed relief over the sturdiness of the new gangway, contrasting it with the previous one, which felt unstable. “The gangway feels good. It doesn’t move, and you don’t even know that you’re walking on it,” Bailey said.
The October collapse occurred during the annual celebration of Gullah Geechee culture on Sapelo Island, drawing about 700 attendees. Survivors described a chaotic scene when the aluminum gangway gave way under the weight of at least 20 people waiting to board the ferry. Regina Brinson, one of the survivors, testified about the horrifying moment she lost her balance and witnessed her uncle, Isaiah Thomas, struggle in the water before she was forced to release him to save herself. “I am scarred for the rest of my life, for what I experienced at the island I went to for a festival,” she said.
Military veteran Darrel Jenkins, another survivor, recounted the lack of immediate EMS services and the frantic efforts by attendees to rescue those in the water. “There was no EMS services; we were the EMS services,” Jenkins said, adding that the incident compounded his existing PTSD.
Yvonne Brockington, who testifying remotely from her hospital bed, organized the outing that day, bringing a group of senior citizens, many of whom were injured or lost in the incident. Brockington, who sustained broken ankles, spoke about the agonizing over her decision to bring the group to the festival and the responsibility she feels for their loss. “The safeguards were not in place, and I don’t understand why,” she said, emphasizing the negligence she perceives in the dock’s maintenance and safety protocols.
The tragedy, which claimed the lives of seven individuals, prompted widespread calls for accountability and a federal investigation. Attorneys for the victims criticized the DNR for its lack of immediate support and transparency, urging federal authorities to step in. The dock’s previous aluminum gangway had been inspected in 2022, but questions remain about its stability and maintenance.
The installation of the new gangway comes as a step forward in addressing those concerns. Bailey, while appreciative of the improvement, lamented that it took a devastating event to bring about change. “They should have done that from the get-go,” he said, noting that the addition of a crosspiece could have prevented the deadly collapse.
For the Gullah Geechee community and the families of those affected, the new gangway symbolizes resilience and a commitment to safety. As survivors continue to seek justice and healing, the updated infrastructure stands as a solemn reminder of the lives lost and the importance of prioritizing public safety.
