IslandVibesIOP.com 3 hazardous to people unfamiliar with its layout and the proximity of its parking area to the water. “It can be confusing for drivers here at high tide,” Brittelli said. “I hope these measures will help make sure we don’t have any more accidents here.” In an effort to prevent further vehicles from driving into the water, the Isle of Palms Police Department and area leaders have taken measures to make the IOP Marina safer for motorists. “In mid-September, we put up a center aisle with a lane divider, two signs on either side of the boat ramp that are always flashing with caution lights and flood lights shining down on the ramp,” said Billy Brittelli, dock master at IOP Marina. “Except for the dividers, IOP City handled the majority NEWS IOP Marina signage, lights installed to prevent future accidents By L. C. Leach III Wellness by the Sea Regenerative Medicine & Aesthetics Where It’s ALL ABOUT YOU GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE! Board-certified medical professionals that offer personalized state-of-the-art treatments for face & body. Lasers, toxins, facials, weight loss and more. REQUEST YOUR PERSONALIZED CONSULTATION IN A SERENE ENVIRONMENT. WE DESIGN A PLAN FOR YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS. TRUST THE EXPERTS. 843.894.0955 YoungerYoustudio.com 1022 Carolina Blvd. Isle of Palms, SC of the cost and the supplies and we installed it.” IOP Police Chief Kevin Cornett informed the public at the Oct. 7 Public Safety Committee meeting that he had personally reached out to Google Maps to specifically ask them to “remove the end of the roadway that goes toward the boat ramp.” “They also had a roadway that’s not there since we reconfigured the parking lot,” Cornett said. “They’ve already made (those) edits.” Cornett also recommended to Google Maps that the route to get to the Islander 71 restaurant at the marina take motorists along the main roadway and “not cut through the marina store parking lot.” The improved safety features came on the heels of a near-tragic auto accident this past August when a visiting motorist drove into the water at the IOP Marina during inclement weather and was rescued by two patrons at Islander 71. It was the second time in under a year that such an accident occurred. On both occasions, the vehicles sank and the occupants were rescued due to the quick response of witnesses who happened to be at the restaurant. Cornett previously warned of the dangers of island driving during severe weather conditions, especially at night and even more so at the IOP Marina, where water levels are often 11-13 feet deep and heavy rain can “quickly obscure where the roadway ends and make it difficult to gauge depths.” While acknowledging that the new measures don’t guarantee that there will be no additional accidents, Cornett and Brittelli are hopeful that they will at least flag to all future motorists that while the IOP Marina is one of the most appealing places on the island, it can be THE GOLD STANDARD OF VACATION RENTALS WWW.IOPESCAPES.COM 843.456.4606 EXT. 3
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