I grew up on the waterways of Hilton Head Island, and you can still find me there often, enjoying the unique, natural blessings that hallmark our Lowcountry life. Like many of you, I’m passionate about protecting this local lifeblood of our community.
Native Americans, Gullah Geechee native islanders, and European immigrants all believed a universal truth that remains today for our residents, visitors, and businesses – what we have here is quite special, and it sustains our ways of life, then and now. It’s our sacred duty and privilege to make certain that this unique bounty is preserved.
In early September, I was honored to assist personally in the removal of several abandoned, dangerous boats in our community’s waters. The experience was humbling for many reasons, not the least of which was seeing firsthand the dedication and expertise that people offered to clear the creeks of these hazards. These boats were a blight on the community for years.
It is hard to express fully my gratitude to the team of people at all levels of government and the efforts of numerous private citizens who got us to this moment. From the South Carolina Legislature’s approval of new laws and funding that enable local municipalities and county governments, alongside the S.C. Department of Natural Resources officers and dive teams, to remove abandoned and derelict boats from the water faster and easier, to the talented, hard-working Beaufort County Public Works teams who handle the safe disposal of them, I thank you for the honor of working alongside you on this effort.
I also want to offer a special thank you to our Town Manager Marc Orlando and Public Safety Director Bob Bromage and his team for their leadership in getting this project underway, coordinating everything so well, and prioritizing this important initiative.
The collaboration across agencies was, quite simply, awesome to experience. And I’d like to ask for your collaboration in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead: If you see something in the water that you think might need our attention, please report it through the MyHHI app, which is available for free in Apple and Google Play stores.
I’m relieved that these 11 boats have been removed and that three more will be gone soon – not just for our local mariners, but also because it brings us closer to ensuring that our waterways remain the invaluable and cherished places they have been for millennia.