Sapelo Island gangway inspected in late 2022, department says

(The Center Square) – The Sapelo Island gangway that collapsed Saturday was inspected in 2022, not 2023 as previously reported, but was still considered structurally sound, the Department of Natural Resources said Thursday.

The department revealed the information in a new “frequently asked questions” section on a webpage that provides updates on the incident that killed seven people.

Crescent Manufacturing, the general contractor that oversaw the construction of the gangway, conducted two inspections in 2022 in response to a complaint of a loud noise, the Department of Natural Resources said. The last inspection was in December 2022, and it was “determined there were no structural concerns,” the department said.

“The letter from the second inspection was dated ‘December 10, 2023,’ which is why DNR stated an inspection was done in December 2023,” the department said. “However, we have recently learned this was an inspection from 2022 and the inspection report was inadvertently dated 2023. The letter/report was shared with DNR on January 10, 2023.”

The structure was also inspected after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The gangway is in a secure position as investigators look into what caused it to collapse during a celebration of the Gullah Geechee. Sapelo Island is only accessible by two ferries, the Katie Underwood and the Annemarie.

The ferries were making eight trips on Saturday instead of their usual three trips during the celebration. About 700 visitors were on the island, according to the department.

The Department of Natural Resources is investigating what caused the collapse.

On Wednesday, the department said new signs limiting the number of people on the gangway were placed at the entrance to the ferry. The eight-adult limit, or four if dock carts or other equipment is located on the gangway, was done “out of caution,” according to the department.

The Department of Natural Resources owns and operates the ferry. Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney, said he represents the families of three survivors and one family member.

“We need a federal investigation into the deadly dock collapse on Sapelo Island that claimed seven lives and injured others,” Crump said in a post on social media. “This tragic incident demands accountability.”