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float away

News

FOLLY BOAT

Hurricane Irma Washes Away Folly Boat Into James Island Backyard

Featured Image Credit: WCIV

The Folly Beach Boat is a staple to the Charleston Community. It’s hard to miss while you’re driving along the highway on your way to Folly Beach. It’s always painted differently with a different design and a different message. It all started when Hurricane Hugo Hit in 1989 and the boat washed ashore on the side of the highway. Now, 28 years later, Hurricane Irma has washed it away and into the backyard of a James Island resident.

People from all over come to Folly to cover the landmark with painted messages for all occasions such as birthdays, weddings, graduations, disasters, encouraging notes, and much more. The boat was most recently painted with “Godspeed Florida” and “This Too Shall Pass” in honor of Hurricane Irma hitting the coast.

folly boat

Stephanie Lee took this photo of the famous Folly Boat on Sunday night and it had messages of support for the Florida Keys and others impacted by Hurricane Irma. Image Credit: Stephanie Lee

Then Monday came and so did Irma….

Charleston did not get directly hit by the hurricane but experienced violent winds, heavy rain, and tons of flooding. The Folly Boat has swept away with the storm and the Charleston community was threatened with losing the boat along with all the memories. Thankfully, the sentimental boat turned up in a James Island backyard after floating a half-mile and crashing into a local dock owned by Chris John. Social media kept people updated about the boat’s disappearance and rediscovery.

“All the sudden, it was just floating by,” said Chris. The boat currently resides in his front yard. We hope the boat will be able to be returned to its original location and provide messages to the community again. The condition and if it will be returned to its home is still unknown.

The messages this boat has endured is important to the people and community.  The boat has become a part of Folly Beach life and we are glad that we did not lose it for good!

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