Utility cables likely prevented tragedy in gangway collapse

The collapse of a city marina gangway during the Fernandina Beach's Fourth of July fireworks celebration last Friday could have ended in catastrophe if not for a bundle of utility cables and steel cross bars that prevented the structure from disintegrating into the Amelia River, marina experts said.

The gangway, which connected the marina’s main boardwalk to the outer south dock, buckled under the weight of numerous spectators gathered to watch the fireworks show. While 11 individuals were medically evaluated following the collapse, no serious injuries were reported — a result that marina experts now say may have hinged on sheer luck and structural happenstance.

The bundled rows of utility cables reinforced with metal crossbars — including high-voltage electrical lines powering dock infrastructure — ran beneath the gangway and provided unintended support when the metal framework above gave way. Spectators were left in knee-deep river water as city first responders quickly arrived and got them to safety.

“Had those utility lines and steel framing underneath not held, we could have seen people and debris plunge into the water,” said a McConicle Electric employee, speaking on background due to ongoing investigations of the incident. “The failure and injuries could have been much, much worse.”

The Fernandina Beach Marina dock power system uses a 277/480-volt service, that supplies power to multiple vessels and related infrastructure. The 480-volt system powers heavy duty equipment like pump out stations, lifts and large yachts while the 277-volt system is used primarily for smaller vessels and lighting.

While the utility lines likely prevented serious injuries, those same electrical lines also posed a serious threat to the spectators, according to a Southeastern Docks worker, who participated in the gangway's removal from the marina on Tuesday.

Had the collapsed section of the gangway's aluminum structure broken in half, sharp metal edges could have sliced through the electrical lines, potentially exposing those spectators to a dangerous electrical hazard.

“It’s terrifying to think about what could have happened,” the worker said. “If the metal edges had severed those power lines, it could have electrocuted the people stranded in the water there.”

The powers lines are encased in double-shielded conduit which withstood the weight of the collapsed gangway, the worker said.

Fire Chief Jeremy Holmes previously confirmed that initial panic erupted after the collapse, but emergency crews quickly assessed and cleared the area. Holmes said no one was thrown into the water and that injuries were minor — mostly cuts, bruises, and anxiety-related symptoms.

The exact number of spectators who were on the gangway to watch the fireworks has not been determined. Some rough estimates are about 40-to-50 people. The 85-foot-long gangway is designed as walking access to the docks and not intended to handle stationary weight loads.

A teenager watching the removal of the gangway said he was on the boardwalk next to the gangway to watch the fireworks.

He estimated that no more than 50 people were standing on the structure when it folded into the water.

"It sounded like a large piece of metal falling on concrete," he said.

City officials have not yet released a final report on the cause of the collapse, but preliminary assessments might reveal stress fractures in the aging gangway combined with the weight of dozens of spectators.

Marine contractors removed the twisted section of the gangway earlier this week using a barge-mounted crane. The compromised metal was carefully cut away to avoid disturbing the remaining infrastructure and utility systems.

An independent engineering review is now underway to determine what caused the gangway to fail. The city has not announced a timeline for repairs, although replacement of the gangway could take more than six months given the planned demolition of the Brett's restaurant next year.

Officials said the incident underscores the urgent need to review procedures and inspect critical infrastructure at the aging city marina — especially as large crowds continue to gather for annual waterfront events.

“The city was incredibly fortunate,” the worker said. “Hopefully there won't be a next time.”