After two troubling incidents where drivers mistakenly followed GPS directions straight into the water at the Isle of Palms marina boat ramp, local leaders are taking serious action to improve safety. Residents have raised concerns, and city officials are responding with new measures to prevent this from happening again.
GPS Sends Cars into Water — Twice
The latest incident happened earlier this month when a rideshare driver followed GPS instructions, made a wrong turn, and ended up in the water at the marina. Fortunately, the driver was rescued quickly, but the situation was dangerous and all too familiar.
A similar case occurred in September last year, when an elderly couple experienced the same thing — GPS led them off the ramp and into the water, where they too had to be rescued.
Existing Safety Measures Were Not Enough
After the first incident, the city took steps to prevent a repeat:
White lines were painted on the ground
Orange hazard signs were installed
Security cameras were added
Some lighting was also improved
However, during a heavy rainstorm on the night of the second incident, those safety measures weren’t clearly visible.
“It was one of those nights you could barely see,” said Councilman Rusty Streetman, reflecting on the weather conditions that made it nearly impossible to notice the warnings.
What’s Being Done Now
Isle of Palms officials are not taking any chances. They are now planning additional safety upgrades that will make the boat ramp area more visible and less confusing, especially for drivers unfamiliar with the area or relying too much on GPS.
The city’s public safety committee recently discussed:
Installing a flashing amber warning sign
Adding spring-loaded reflective signage
Enhancing lighting around the ramp even further
Police Chief Kevin Cornett says the improvements will be significant:
“We’re going to step back, add more lights, and by the time we’re done, we’ll have more than any other boat ramp I’ve visited.”
The goal is to make it very clear where drivers can and cannot go, even in low visibility or bad weather.
Recognizing the Rescuers
Beyond prevention, the city is also planning to honor the two Good Samaritans who rescued the rideshare driver in the latest incident. These individuals jumped into action without hesitation, risking their own safety to help someone in danger.
“Not everyone will do that,” said Chief Cornett. “That was a great moment — to see two people step up like that. My intent is to ask council to officially recognize their heroic actions.”
Next Steps
The Isle of Palms Police Department is working closely with the marina team to put all the planned safety features in place. Once finalized, the issue will go before City Council for further approval and recognition of the rescuers.
With two serious incidents caused by GPS confusion at the Isle of Palms marina ramp, the city is taking no chances. More lights, better signs, and stronger protections are on the way. It’s a clear sign that the city is listening to residents and committed to keeping both visitors and locals safe. At the same time, the community is taking a moment to celebrate the everyday heroes who stepped up when it mattered most.
