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Daufuskie Island residents press Beaufort County over ferry service, extra fees
Summary
Multiple Daufuskie Island residents and community leaders told the Beaufort County Council that a year after a new ferry contract the service is unreliable and charges for groceries and bulky items create hardship; residents urged the county to act, including a resolution to replace the contractor.
Residents of Daufuskie Island told Beaufort County Council on Jan. 28 that ferry service failures and extra passenger charges are creating economic hardship and threatening daily life on the island.
"The situation has not improved," Michael Hubbard, chair of the Daufuskie Island Council, told the meeting, repeating his group’s plan to ask the county to terminate and replace the Lowcountry Ferry contract. Hubbard said the ferry repeatedly failed to return to service after recent storms and raised concerns about additional passenger fees for groceries and heavy items.
Why it matters: Daufuskie is a car-free community that depends on the ferry for groceries, medical appointments and employment. Residents said repeated service interruptions and surcharges force them to choose between essentials.
Several residents described specific hardships. Sally Ann Robertson, a sixth-generation native, said grocery spoilage and unpredictable baggage restrictions have left families struggling: "It is the worst, and I'm saying the worst that we've ever had to charge us for our needs." Yvonne Wilson, who said she has worked for the county for nearly 30 years, told council that current service and pricing make islanders feel treated as "stepchildren" and urged county intervention to restore reliable, affordable transport.
Council context: The public-comment block prompted multiple speakers to ask the council to work with the town of Hilton Head and state representatives on the matter. Michael Hubbard and others said the Daufuskie Island Council planned to put a resolution before the county council asking for termination and replacement of the ferry contractor; county members acknowledged the complaints and did not dispute the residents’ accounts during the public comment period.
What residents asked for: Repeated requests in public comment included (1) termination and replacement of the current ferry contract, (2) a county-led inspection of docks and infrastructure at Melrose Landing and the Pinkney Island side, (3) clarity about who is responsible for dock inspections and repairs, and (4) review of the operator’s fares and extra fees for groceries and bulky items.
What’s next: Council members did not vote on a specific ferry motion during the meeting; multiple speakers said the Daufuskie Island Council will bring a formal resolution for council consideration at an upcoming meeting. The council’s liaison and staff will be the likely contacts for follow-up and any further action.
