Island Shuttle Boat Tours

08/17/2024

Captain's log...
We took a couple to DI on Thursday, 8/15. It was the lady's birthday weekend. Unbeknownst to her; her husband had also hired us to bring their two daughters over on on Friday, 8/16, with instructions to keep their coming a secret.
So, at late afternoon on 8/16 we are heading over with 6 pax, including the two daughters. Texts are flying as we want to make this surprise special. And timing is everything.
At the County Dock we get the sitrep, mom is sitting on a golf cart in front of D'fuskies. As they have never been here I tell the girls "follow me, we will come back for your bags."
At the store, dad is standing in front of the cart, looking our way and speaking with mom, his phone (camera) in his hand. Mom is looking somewhat away from us but just in case I arc around behind her to prevent a glance. The two girls and I come up behind her, and I say in my best "officious" voice, "pardon me ma'am! Do you know these women?"
Mom turns toward us, total surprise and disbelief wash over her face. Her mouth opens, but it takes a second for sound to come out. Her brain is struggling to process what her eyes are seeing. "How! What! Where did you come from?" Surprise turns into visible joy.
I turn and walk away, leaving them to it. My smile is big and my heart is full. We just made a memory and a special birthday.
The ride back to the marina is beautiful:-)

08/15/2024

In addition to taking people and pets to Daufuskie and other destinations, we also do tours and bachelorette trips. These are fun and a nice change of pace. Today we once again did a tour for Dr Judy Porter, taking her peeps on a loop for the third (or is it fourth?) year. Good times!
After that, we responded to a request for assistance for a baby on DI with a sore bottom. Prescription meds picked up, special diapers purchased, and something called "Boudreaux's Butt Paste" (Really? Who knew?!?) added to the bag.
Added two pax to the boat and delivered the goods.
Feel better baby!

08/14/2024

Daufuskie Island, South Carolina ?

We Go There with WTOC on a "One Tank Trip!"

(Golf cart used for this production provided by Caroline and Explore Daufuskie !)

08/14/2024

A load of supplies headed to Frye’s Corner for delicious Chicken and Shrimp and fixin's. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina , opening at 11am, serving til it's gone.
Be early!
Haywood will make you happy!

08/10/2024

You can't make this up...
In the middle of a 4 hour charter for a group of ladies and girls from Turner's Rock, we stop at the Wyld so they can eat. My driver Mike walks in with my 3 pm group for Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, he got them at the airport, lunch here then Kroger then Savannah Boathouse . I will see them soon:-)
Crazy...

08/08/2024

During the weather break we got a hundred hour service done on the 300 hp motor and pressure washed the back of Dash 1 and the 150. Boats going back in the water shortly, first pickup from DI 8 am tomorrow!
Time to get back after it!

08/07/2024

Returning to service Friday morning 7am!

08/06/2024

Captains log: Storm Debby!

As the weather situation developed, we knew we had to come up with an action plan. While the airlines are ok with cancelling flights at the last hour and leaving you in the airport for a day or two, we know that we can't strand you on an island with no way off. The ferry notwithstanding.
This means we have to watch the coming weather for days when we cannot operate, and correlate those day's scheduled returns for pax on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina . We then have to communicate this info to those customers and offer them options, i.e. come off early or wait on DI until conditions allow us to resume operations.
Note that in some cases we have to get our boats out of the water and into a safe shelter at a marina that is dealing with a couple of hundred boats and owners all after the same thing.
For Debby, we got pax off Sunday that were scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday customers going TO DI cancelled (we returned deposits). So we were all set.
Then the phone rang on Monday morning at 7 am. A family we had taken to DI on Saturday--knowing that a storm was coming--got scared Sunday night by the wind howling through the trees and sought a ride off the island ASAP.
But our boats were on a rack in a barn, at a closed marina. Oh boy...
As all of us in this business know each other, and have phone numbers, I called Will Montgomery who runs Bull River Marina . I told him what was up and asked if he was running the Bella, a larger, partially enclosed passenger vessel.
He said, "Yep, one run today, 9 am departure, then she is coming out at Hogan's. I don't need a mate but you are welcome to come along!"
I called the customer on DI. She confirmed they could pack up and be ready for pickup by Pat McClain by 9am at their rental. Called Pat, we had a plan.
As we walked down to the boat I was thinking that while the Bella is not always the best option for getting to DI; that day she was the bomb. Big, heavy, powerful and shelter from the storm. We took off and encountered rain and reduced visibility. 6 eyeballs looked ahead as hard as we could. We crossed the Savannah and got to Wall's cut and the horizon disappeared. I started Navionics on my phone and set it in front of Will on the wheel, to back up the on-board nav system. It wasn't yet scary but it wasn't much fun. We passed a crabber working his traps in the mist and rain and Will mentioned "Deadliest Catch" and it was comic relief and we all laughed out loud.
We got to DI and the docks were empty. Duh!
The solo passenger for Bull River showed up and up rolled Pat with my family of four. Mom was surprised that I came along on the boat. "Well, I put you on this island, and I am gonna get you off." Vestigial emotions from days gone by when a young Nightstalker put special operators into places from which they sometimes then needed to be extracted. With bullets in the air.

"Nightstalkers Don't Quit." (NSDQ)

We started back and the ride downwind and downwave was much better. But now another issue. The hoist at Hogan's was fixing to close. We were going to have to go straight there. I called Jeanne. "Bring the van to Hogans, we gotta get these folks to their truck at Savannah Boathouse!"
She did. The look on the family's faces when we dropped them off said it all. Visible gratitude. It was a big adventure and we did it together. They were safe. We got it done thanks to Will and his team at Bull River Marina--our friends across 80.
Next one's on us guys!
(Sydney! You rock! Girl power!)
PS Hogans is now called Sun Life Marinas Wilmington Island . It will take some time for that to sink in.
PSS Next time, pax will have to come off DI early, or ride the storm out.

08/04/2024

At Savannah Boathouse , boats coming out of water. Ours too at 4:30. Passed hazard to navigation in River at ICW. Reported to USCG
Later today:
Huge thanks to Captain Billy Barrow and Captain Josiah Riffle for running a second and (for the first time) third boat to expedite the storm exfil of 36 humans and 2 dogs today. Come what may with Debbie, my people and my boats are as safe as they can be.
Hold fast!

08/03/2024

Storm coming. Getting all our pax off DI tomorrow! Or after it passes... Boats out of water on Monday. Batten down your hatches.
(As always, music provided by Quality Rock Q105.3 :-)

08/01/2024

People love Daufuskie Island, South Carolina !
Just sayin...

07/31/2024

Stats!
Pax transported last year, 1,899.
Pax this year thru July 31, 1,782. Heading for 2000 plus.
Pax last June 268.
Pax this June 421.
Pax last July 303.
Pax this July 341.
Dogs last year 111
Dogs so far this year 116.

With the change of Daufuskie Island, South Carolina ferry vendor by Beaufort County, the nature of the market has changed, as has the customer base. Folks are angry about the change and we hope the issues get resolved. We do not receive tax payer subsidy.
We are sticking to our operating model which is to provide superior personalized service to the discerning customer. We are more frequently fully booked on any given day than ever before, so booking early is a good idea. As always, we appreciate your support and business and hope to serve you:-)

07/30/2024

Lots of fun bringing a team from WTOC to Daufuskie Island, South Carolina today for an upcoming video segment. We enjoyed watching the process of making content, and can't wait for the finished product.
Huge thanks to Caroline and Explore Daufuskie for providing the cart that stars in this "drive-off" bit.

07/28/2024

"Everywhere in life is somewhere else, and you get there in a car."
E.B. White

"Except Daufuskie Island. You get there in a boat."
D.C. Foulds

On the way to Daufuskie Island, South Carolina for a passenger pickup.

No two trips are the same:-)

Music provided by Quality Rock Q105.3 Savannah's locally owned station. The only tuneage for our tonnage!

Share it if you like it, yo?

07/27/2024

In between moving a bunch of humans to and from DI today, we snuck in a 2 hour loop tour for Tia and crew. Fun fun fun!

07/26/2024

A gorgeous morning ride to pick up some of the Peichert clan, said hi to our pal from Bull River Marina , and now it's nap time for old men as we wait for our 3 pm guests for DI:-)
Who wants to bet on rain?

07/23/2024

Darbie called about a trip to Daufuskie Island, South Carolina . Captain Dan was away and had to check with Captain Billy Barrow to see if he was available. While waiting for that answer Dan went ahead and shared the DI "Gouge" as Darbie would need it in any case. We also sent a number for another service in case Darbie was in a hurry and needed to arrange transportation immediately.
("Gouge" is a United States Navy term for all the inside information a sailor needs to know to successfully make her way through a new assignment; ashore or at sea. It is collective wisdom and concrete instruction passed from those more experienced to "newbies.")
Her wait was worth it.
Billy took Darbie's family over, Dan will bring them back:-)

07/22/2024

Captain's Log

We took a nice couple to DI yesterday afternoon, and along the way I learned the the husband is a Cardiologist. We shared some stories; he could have been killed in an EMS helicopter crash, as the machine he flew on as a resident did crash and killed all aboard.

After 8 plus years of running boats for pleasure seekers - healthy people -- the memories of flying helicopters to try and save lives is fading. The emotional impact of all the physical impacts (helicopter's crashing) is also fading -- thankfully.
During the HEMS years, I had the audacity to think that I might save a crew or two by writing a blog (and later a trade magazine safety column). As I revisit that writing, I realize two things. First, "oops, there is a mistake!"
Second, "how on earth did I write this?"
If you are interested in the line of thinking (or absence of thinking) that leads to a crash, read on...

Update: Since I first wrote this, the NTSB has released their findings on one of the events discussed here. Not everyone agrees with the NTS...

07/20/2024

What will YOU do on Daufuskie Island?
Maybe you will visit the stores, shops, eateries and bars and quench your thirst and get your fill.
Maybe you will roll in the history of this place, with it's Gullah roots. It "haint" bad for that.
Maybe you will glide quietly down dirt roads, and revel in the nature surrounding you.
Maybe you will make new friends from faraway places and share this experience with them.
Or maybe you will be the only witness to a stunning start to a beautiful day.
Alone on a beach, not a soul in sight.
Daufuskie is famous for the things it does not have; and sometimes less is more:-)
(All photos by Ms. Jennifer Null. Our TD Jen!)

07/16/2024

The only tuneage for our tonnage! Over and over our pax say, "Wow! Great Song!" Our answer? "Yep! WRHQ 105.3, our station! Locally owned and available all over the world! Take your Daufuskie memories home with you!" WHRQ.COM
We love y'all!

Hey Savannah! Did you know our station isn't some big corporate suit? Nope, WRHQ has been your local homie since 1997!

Back then, Jerry Rogers, our founder, bought a little 1950s house right in midtown. Our very own Brady McGraw coined the name" the Bungalow," and it stuck. And it's been where the WRHQ magic has happened ever since.

Why a house, you ask? We wanted to be part of the community, not some faceless tower downtown. We're your neighbors, broadcasting straight from your backyard! ️

So next time you're cruising around, don't be a stranger! Wave to the red door – that's the WRHQ "Bungalow"! We're the little station with the BIG heart, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

07/12/2024

It has been and continues to be a great day! Thanks to our customers who come back year after year! And how 'bout that Flying Fish Bar and Grill ?!?

07/09/2024

A lot of what we do is work, plain and simple. But those work days are seasoned with good times with good friends. Since our first year we have been taking Eric Daubert , Joe's Piano Bar Jarka, and Jeff Beasley and their guest musicians over to DI to perform for the guests and residents on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina.
This was a fun group right here!

07/09/2024

If you went to Huc's, and saw a kind gent hook the ring on the first try, (and then show others how to do it!) well, you crossed paths with a gentle soul, not long for this earth. Godspeed dear friend!

Rest in Peace, Bob-o. Our thoughts and prayers are with the HucaPoos family with the loss of Robert Ridge. Bob-o was and awesome person and had a heart bigger than all of Tybee Island. We will miss him dearly. Please pray for his Friends and Family.

07/07/2024

Our fourth July 4 holiday weekend is just about in the books. Transported 30 humans today, the holiday included; Brooks fam 6, Bush fam 12, Conley fam 6, all fourth year customers. and don't forget furry friend Boone Brooks and lots more 4-legged pals.

We gotta salute our friends across the bridge at Bull River Marina , as those guys and gals have been moving people all weekend too! They are good folks doing good work! We are ALL hustling to show you a good time!