A state-operated ferry struck a dock on Sapelo Island, Ga., Friday afternoon, prompting an investigation and temporary changes to island access, officials said.
The 70' catamaran ferry Katie Underwood allided with the Marsh Landing Dock at about 4:15 p.m., according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which operates two ferries to the island, located about 60 miles south of Savannah on one of Georgia’s remote Sea Island barrier beaches.
Forty-one people were on board at the time. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the incident is unknown. Georgia DNR said it notified the U.S. Coast Guard, which will conduct a full investigation into the incident and inspect the vessel.
The Katie Underwood — built in 2006 by Geo Shipyard, New Iberia, La. — will remain out of service until the inquiry and safety inspections are completed.
The gangway affected by the impact has been closed as a precaution, DNR said, noting that it is arranging an evaluation by an independent structural engineer and the dock’s manufacturer to determine the extent of any damage.
During the assessment period, ferry operations are being shifted to a secondary dock at Marsh Landing. Another vessel, the Annemarie, will transport passengers until normal operations can resume.
In October 2024, the Marsh Landing Dock gangway catastrophically failed and collapsed, killing seven people.
