A fight for a ferry

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - For the past 8 months, those who live on the Island in the Lowcountry of Daufuskie Island, have found themselves constantly having conversations about having a suitable and reliable ferry to take them on and off the island.

“I would say that all of the working class on the island depend on the ferry,” said Island Council Chairman Kade Yarborough.

As the island’s main source of transportation, the ferry is responsible for getting residents on and off the island for things like groceries and going to work.

Something residents say has been nothing short of a headache ever since the county switched ferry operators.

The ferry is currently run by Lowcountry Ferry, a company that the county switched to in January after the previous operator contract was up.

“It has been frustrating these past few months,” said Deborah Smith, Daufuskie Island land owner.

Deborah Smith is a landowner on the island who has continued to show up at county council meetings to express her grievances.

She was hoping that Monday night would be the night to see some action on the county’s part.

“Tonight was a very powerful night, we have people from the island come before the council and share just how difficult this ferry system has made their lives,” said Smith.

Stories that stood out were those who spoke on their disabilities, saying the current dock and ferry are not ADA compliant.

Concerns surrounding the availability, working AC, and prices have swirled around the ferry system for quite some time.

Even prompting the county to issue A Non-Compliance for the system back on July 3rd.

In a press release from that time, the county administrator emphasized that “the well-being satisfaction of our residents remains our top priority.”

In that release, County Administrator Michael Moore said, “Beaufort County is taking steps to address the contract.”

The contract between the county and Lowcountry Ferry was yet again on the agenda for the executive session however the county has not decided on whether or not to terminate the contract.

According to Councilman Mark Lawson of the 9th district, the county is planning to continue to add the needed pressure until the ferry is up to code.

“This is something we want to make sure we can provide for our citizens, to the best of our ability,” said Lawson.

As for the residents of the island, they have continued to show their frustrations as they started a petition calling for the county to terminate the contract.

https://www.change.org/p/petition-to-terminate-lowcountry-ferry-s-contract-and-provide-the-contract-to-an-alternate