For the 1st time, Beaufort Co. says Daufuskie Island ferry isn’t following its contract

Mary Dimitrov

July 5, 2024 at 9:51 a.m.·2 min read

Beaufort County formally notified Lowcountry Ferry that its backup boat doesn’t comply with its contract to provide ferry service between Hilton Head and Daufuskie islands, according to a press release. The July 3 notification marks the first time in seven months of operation that the county publicly acknowledged a problem and is the first step in the termination process.

The release identified the requirement for “a second qualified vessel available for ferry service.” At least two times this year Lowcountry Ferry’s main vessel, the Manatee II, has been out of service and the company has used a smaller catamaran instead. Lowcountry must submit a plan to fix the problem to the county, according to the release. The release didn’t address other public complaints, including alleged Americans with Disabilities Act violations, and didn’t say anything about terminating the contract.

Carry-on wagons – as seen at the front of the Manatee II – are used by islanders to bring supplies to Daufuskie Island as photographed on Jan. 31, 2024, at the C.C. Haigh Jr. Boat Landing on PInckney Island. Lowcountry Ferry, the operator of the boat, will allow only 15 wagons per trip for a boat that has a capacity of 50 riders.

The notification indicates a shift between Beaufort County’s Interim County Administrator John Robinson and the new County Administrator Michael Moore, who started July 1. Lowcountry Ferry’s contract was signed and managed by an interim administration, instated in the wake of the County Council firing former County Administrator Eric Greenway. Robinson said he approved the Mantatee II and the temporary catamaran in a Jan. 19 interview with The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.

A 47-foot catamaran approved to carry up to 49 passengers and owned by Outside Brands load passengers for its 1 p.m. departure on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, for Daufuskie Island.

With the notice of non-compliance and four days into his tenure, Moore denounced the catamaran as a qualified vessel. Lowcountry Ferry outlined neither the Manatee II nor the catamaran in its bid proposal. Instead, the proposal said the Palmetto Merchant and the Palmetto Trader would be the service’s primary vessels. Haig Point, the ferry’s previous contractor, used those boats. However, Lowcountry Ferry owner Neil Turner said he didn’t reach an agreement with the owners to use the boats in January.

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