A Fernandina Beach marina gangway that collapsed, injuring several spectators crowded together to watch Fourth July 4 fireworks, had been rebuilt after being damaged by Hurricane Matthew, city officials said amid the investigation into the incident.
Independence Day revelers fell into the water as others fled screaming when the gangway collapsed at Fernandina Harbor Marina, 3 Front S. St., on the Amelia River in the heart of Fernandina Beach.
Some people sustained minor injuries, but no one was transported for medical care, Fernandina officials said. They did not say how many people were treated.
City Manager Jeremiah Glisson confirmed that the city owns the marina and all related infrastructure. Oasis Marinas, headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, manages the marina on behalf of the city, he said.
“The gangway was installed around five years ago when the marina was rebuilt following damage from Hurricane Matthew,” Glisson said. “There were a number of marine contractors involved in this rebuild.”
A large gangway at the Fernandina Beach Harbor Marina collapsed during the Fourth of July fireworks display causing some injuries.
Hurricane Matthew was a Category 2 storm in October 2016 when it passed offshore of Northeast Florida. Nassau County had an estimated $10 million in storm damage.
Fernandina Harbor Marina was forced to close due to the severity of the hurricane damage and didn’t reopen until January 2020.
Screams shatter the night amid panic following gangway collapse
The Fernandina Beach Police Department and city posted alerts on their Facebook pages shortly before 10 p.m. notifying the community what happened.
By 3 p.m. the next day, there were at least 390 posted responses, not counting replies. Many who witnessed the collapse and its aftermath described the terror and confusion.
One woman posted about the panicked crowd running at her and her family:
“We were sitting on the ground behind the benches leading to the dock. I had a 5 month old in my arms and a 8 year old in dads arms and people just started running all over us and around us jumping the bench screaming ‘run’ and there was a huge stampede of people coming towards us we started running people were pushing we left everything this was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever experienced in my life.”
This is a look at the Fernandina Harbor Marina gangway that collapsed while crowds were watching Fourth of July fireworks.
Several feared it was a shooting.
“I was there with my mom, dad and little sister we were freaking out. Everybody was just saying gunshots, gunshots gunshots. We didn’t know what to do so we ran into the Hilton Hotel. It was so scary. We were right in front of it like five minutes before it happened.”
One woman trying to protect her four children “as everyone ran in fear screaming” succinctly summed it up: “Well that was an absolutely traumatizing 4th of July.”
Some posters asked why that many people were allowed to stand on the gangway in the first place. As one poster replied:
“Because it wasn’t blocked off and because no one was stopping people from being there. Yes, most of us that are familiar with it wouldn’t crowd onto it, but not kids and tourists once they already see people on it and no signage or anything.”
In a posted photo, a marina sign can be seen attached to what looks like a portion of the gangway that reads: “Boat Owners Only” in large capital letters, followed by the words “Fernandina Harbor Marina Registered Guests Only.”
Another shown in a First Coast News video says in large red letters, “Gangway Safety,” followed with four lines in black advising to “Walk single file; Stay equally spaced; No stopping mid-way on gangway; No crowding.”
Marina officials cooperating in Fernandina gangway collapse investigation
A sign advises safety precautions on the Fernandina Harbor Marina gangway, which collapsed during the 2025 Fourth of July fireworks.
Fernandina Beach Police Chief Jeff Tambasco told Times-Union news partner First Coast News there were more people on the gangway than the structure could support to watch the fireworks.
The city’s investigation is ongoing. Glisson said the city will have more information “in the upcoming days.”
Oasis Marinas, which is affiliated with Oasis Experiences, took over operations of the marina on Dec. 1, 2020, according to a company news release at that time.
Oasis Experiences describes itself on its website as specializing in developing and operating premium marinas and RV parks. The company says on LinkedIn that it is “a leading hospitality and management partner, operating a portfolio of 50 marinas, 8,300 slips and hundreds of RV pads.”
Nathan Moyer, vice president for operations at Oasis Experiences, in a July 5 statement sent to the Times-Union, said the company is working with authorities investigating the incident.
“Oasis Marinas is coordinating closely with city officials and relevant agencies in support of their ongoing assessment and response. We are committed to ensuring that Fernandina Harbor remains a safe and welcoming environment for all,” Moyer said. “As this situation continues to be reviewed, we are focused on supporting our partners and local community and will assist in any necessary next steps.”
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Moyer also said the company is grateful no serious injuries were reported.
“First and foremost, our hearts go out to those impacted, and we are grateful that no serious injuries were reported. The safety and well-being of our guests, boaters, and the community are of the utmost importance,” Moyer said.
He also thanked first responders.
“We want to extend our sincere appreciation to the emergency personnel and marina staff who responded quickly and professionally to assist visitors during a very busy holiday evening,” Moyer said.
Fernandina gangway collapse reminiscent of Sapelo Island disaster
Although no serious injuries have been reported, the incident somewhat parallels the Sapelo Island gangway collapse last year in Georgia that killed seven people, including four from Jacksonville, and resulted in lawsuits.
The four Jacksonville residents were there to learn about the Gullah Geechee culture on the island and were among an estimated 20 people hurled into the water on Oct. 19 when the structure collapsed. The incident is being investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Nightmare in daylight: Jacksonville woman recounts witnessing horror of Sapelo Island gangway collapse
Survivors and families of those who died have filed a civil lawsuit against the parties involved in its engineering and construction of that gangway.
Information wasn’t immediately available about whether any of the companies involved in the Sapelo Island collapse might also have done work on the Fernandina Harbor Marina gangway.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Collapsed Fernandina gangway was part of rebuilt marina