Boat owners fret as Shem Creek park project moves ahead


MOUNT PLEASANT -- A way of life for at least two Charleston Harbor commercial fishermen could be coming to an end as the town moves forward with plans for its new $2 million Shem Creek park.

"I don't have any idea what to do," crabber Kenneth Ezell said.



Commercial crabber Kenneth Ezell on Thursday leaves the Mount Pleasant-owned Shem Creek docks where his 38-foot boat, The Easy Lady, is tied up. Ezell has to find a new home for his boat while the Mount Pleasant constructs its new Shem Creek Park. He wants written assurance from the town that he can return to the docks after construction ends.
His 38-foot boat Easy Lady cost $1,000 four years ago. At the time, it was sinking in the creek. Ezell has spent $10,000 on repairs, he said.

Ezell said he can't get written assurance from the town that he can return to its docks when the new park is finished. For that reason, he wants to give the boat to the town.

"I can't base a business on their (verbal) promise. I'm done. I'm really done. I just want to take care of my family and limit my liability," he said.

Moving to other waters is not an option because crab fishermen are territorial to the point of sabotaging crab pots of a newcomer, he said.

Mayor Billy Swails said Ezell just needs to find a place for his boat for about four months while the town docks are built. Swails said Ezell has exhausted his patience.

"I'm finished with him. We've done everything we can for him. We're not going to take his boat," Swails said.

Swails said that it is "absolutely" possible Ezell will be allowed to return to the docks if his vessel meets standards.

On Thursday, Ezell talked about looking for work as a ferry boat captain on the North Carolina Outer Banks. His wife teaches autistic children. They have a 2-year-old son.

Cuban immigrant George Morell, 70, a shrimper and crabber, works in the harbor from his 28-foot boat Crystal J, which was moored at the town docks.

"When I came to this country, you don't work, you don't eat. Now you make me an outcast. You push me out of the creek," Morell said.

Council purchased the docks and related property in 2008 for $6 million. It allowed fishing boats to remain there on a month-to-month basis. Under the terms of a below-market-rate lease, council has the right to give the fishermen 30 days' notice that they must leave.

"Everyone knew that this was a temporary situation," said Town Administrator Eric DeMoura. "This is an important public project. It's up to him (Ezell) to relocate his vessel."

Previous coverage
Crabber worries new Shem Creek park will endanger livelihood, published 12/05/10
The project will provide a new, first-of-its-kind place for public enjoyment of an undeveloped section of Shem Creek, which otherwise is lined with commercial establishments such as restaurants, bars and inns. Large shrimp trawlers are moored at privately owned docks. Ezell said he was offered temporary space at one of the private docks.

The park will consist of more than 1,000 feet of boardwalk linked to a hummock island and the new docks.

Morell said he will take his boat to Copahee, where he lives. He said that he helped to build the town-owned docks.

"I'm very sad. I used to love Mount Pleasant. I've got nothing against progress, but you don't push the fishermen away," he said.

A third vessel was tied up at the town docks on Thursday but nobody was aboard. Morell and Ezell said they don't know who owns it.

No selection process is yet in place to determine which fishermen get to use the new public docks, officials said.

Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711.

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