Seven Killed In Georgia Ferry Dock Collapse on Sapelo Island

Catastrophic Sapelo Island Ferry Dock Collapse Took Place During Celebration of Gullah-Geechee Community of Black Slave Descendants

MCINTOSH COUNTY, GEORGIA (October 21, 2024) –  At least seven people have tragically died after part of a Sapelo Island ferry boat dock collapsed and sent 20 people into Atlantic waters.

McIntosh County officials are saying that the accident took place around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. A crowd of people were gathered on a gangway as they were waiting for a ferry boat when it suddenly gave way.

Dozens of people were dumped into the water. Sapelo Island is only accessible by boat, which can make rescue efforts difficult. Coast Guard helicopters and boats equipped with sonar were deployed in order to assist with search and rescue efforts.

Despite life-saving measures, at least 7 people died due to their injuries. Another six people were critically injured. All of the victims who lost their lives were older than 70.

The tragedy took place during a celebration for Cultural Day. Residents and visitors were celebrating the Gullah-Geechee community, who are the descendants of black slaves.

Officials are still trying to determine what may have caused the accident. The dock was less than 1 year old, which has led some to speculate that the aluminum ramp and not the dock may have been damaged.

A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Georgia Dock Collapse Accidents 

Drowning remains one of the leading causes of preventable injury and death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Drowning deaths are on the rise in the United States, following decades of decline, according to a new CDC Vital Signs study released today. Over 4,500 people died due to drowning each year from 2020–2022, 500 more per year compared to 2019.” Children and older adults are particularly at risk. Boat companies should take a number of measures in order to prevent accidental drownings.

• Boat companies should require all passengers to wear life jackets when they are on the boat and waiting on the dock.
• Boat operators should be properly licensed and have undergone extensive training in boat handling and emergency procedures.
• Boat companies should regularly maintain and inspect their equipment. 

Boat companies have a legal obligation to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1, “Where an owner or occupier of land, by express or implied invitation, induces or leads others to come upon his premises for any lawful purpose, he is liable in damages to such persons for injuries caused by his failure to exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises and approaches safe.” If a property owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition on their property, they must work to correct the dangerous condition.

Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for any boat accident. The company that manufactured a boating ramp or other piece of equipment could also be held at fault. Companies have a legal obligation to create products that are reasonably safe. They must comply with all safety regulations from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. There are numerous ways that a ramp at a boating dock may have been unsafe.

• A ramp may have had structural integrity issues if the materials used to make it were of poor quality.
• A ramp may have had design flaws that could cause it to give way under stress.
• A ramp may have lacked clear warnings about the load that it was capable of holding.

The vast majority of dock accidents are preventable. They tend to involve numerous safety lapses. For example, docks are prone to water damage and erosion over time. This may substantially weaken their structural integrity and increase the odds of a collapse. In order to prevent this, property owners should regularly inspect their premises for signs of rust and wear. It is crucial that accident victims understand that they do have rights. They may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim.

Investigating McIntosh County Ferry Dock Collapses

We at Butler Kahn extend our deepest condolences to all of the families who lost loved ones in this Sapelo Island ferry boat dock collapse. This is one of the worst mass casualty events in the history of Georgia. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this from happening.

Do you need more information about a Sapelo Island accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we may be able to help. You can reach out to us anytime at 678-940-1444.

Jeb Butler

Jeb Butler’s career as a Georgia trial lawyer has led to a $150 million verdict in a product liability case against Chrysler for a dangerous vehicle design that caused the death of a child, a $45 million settlement for a young man who permanently lost the ability to walk and talk, and numerous other verdicts and settlements, many of which are confidential at the defendant’s insistence. Jeb has worked on several cases that led to systemic changes and improvements in public safety. He has been repeatedly recognized as a Georgia SuperLawyer and ranks among Georgia’s legal elite. Jeb graduated in the top 10% of his class at UGA Law, argued on the National Moot Court team, and published in the Law Review. He is the founding partner of Butler Kahn law firm. Connect with me on LinkedIn