5 Shocking Revelations From The SCDNR Report On The Fatal Hilton Head Boat Crash

The serene waters of Hilton Head Island were shattered by tragedy on the night of June 27, 2025, when a devastating boat crash on Skull Creek resulted in the deaths of a beloved Bluffton couple. This high-profile incident, which also injured two other passengers, immediately drew the attention of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and sparked a crucial conversation about maritime safety in the Lowcountry. The final SCDNR report, which determined the official cause and concluded the investigation with a shocking decision not to pursue criminal charges, provides a sobering look at the critical factors that led to the fatal capsizing. The incident is a stark reminder of the inherent risks of night boating, even for experienced mariners navigating familiar waters near popular destinations like Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge and Skull Creek Dockside. The findings from the SCDNR investigation—revealing elements like poor visibility and improper lookout—are essential reading for anyone who operates a vessel in the Beaufort County area, serving as a powerful cautionary tale about the need for constant vigilance on the water.

The Victims and Survivors: A Tragic Loss for the Bluffton Community

The June 27, 2025, boating accident claimed the lives of a respected married couple from Sun City Hilton Head, leaving their friends, family, and the wider Bluffton community in mourning. Their passing was a profound loss, underscoring the human cost of maritime accidents.

Biography of the Deceased

• Names: James “Rick” Montgomery and Patsy Montgomery
• Ages: Rick was 76; Patsy was 73.
• Residence: Bluffton, South Carolina (Sun City Hilton Head).
• Circumstances: Rick was the operator of the vessel at the time of the fatal crash.
• Pets: Tragically, the couple's two dogs were also killed in the accident.

The Survivors

The two other individuals on board the vessel were longtime friends of the Montgomerys, who were also injured in the crash.

• Names: John Zentmeyer and Debra Zentmeyer.
• Status: They were in the back of the boat at the time of the capsizing.
• Injuries: Both suffered injuries and were hospitalized following the rescue efforts.

The group was reportedly heading to dinner at Skull Creek Dockside, a popular waterfront restaurant, when the accident occurred at approximately 9:45 p.m. EDT. Emergency responders, including the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Beaufort County EMS, and the U.S. Coast Guard, quickly arrived at the scene near the entrance of Skull Creek, north of the marina.

The Official SCDNR Investigation: Unpacking the Cause of the Capsizing

The investigation led by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) was critical in determining the sequence of events and the contributing factors that led to the tragic capsizing of the 23-foot Grady-White sport fishing boat. The findings provide a clear, though painful, explanation for the loss of life.

1. The Vessel and Incident Details

The boat involved was a 23-foot Grady-White vessel, a common and generally reliable type of sport fishing boat. The incident was a capsizing, not a collision with another vessel, which was a point of initial confusion in early media reports. The boat overturned in the dark waters of Skull Creek, a tidal creek that separates Hilton Head Island from Pinckney Island. Following the accident, the capsized vessel drifted and eventually came to rest on a shallow oyster bed on the opposite side of the creek.

2. Poor Visibility as a Major Factor

A primary factor cited in the SCDNR report was the extreme low-light conditions and poor visibility at the time of the crash. Nighttime boating, especially in marshy areas with limited navigational aids, presents significant challenges. The lack of ambient light in the area of Skull Creek, combined with the late hour of 9:45 p.m., made hazard identification nearly impossible.

3. The Critical Finding: "Improper Lookout"

The most significant finding from the state investigators was the captain's “improper lookout.” This term, a standard part of maritime law and accident reporting, indicates that the operator—in this case, Rick Montgomery—failed to maintain adequate observation by sight and hearing, as required by safe practice and navigation rules, to fully assess the situation and the risk of collision or grounding. While the boat was a modern vessel, even advanced navigation technology cannot replace the need for a vigilant lookout, especially in the challenging environment of the Lowcountry waterways.

4. The Decision Not to Pursue Charges

State officials confirmed they were not pursuing criminal charges in connection with the double boating fatality. This decision, while sensitive, is a direct result of the investigation's findings. Since the operator responsible for the vessel, James "Rick" Montgomery, was one of the deceased victims, there was no surviving party to prosecute for the negligence cited in the report. This conclusion closed the official criminal inquiry into the Skull Creek boat crash.

5. Community Response and Calls for Boater Safety

The tragedy immediately prompted local boat captains, marine safety advocates, and the wider Beaufort County community to call for increased boater safety awareness. The incident highlights the need for stricter adherence to maritime rules, including reduced speed at night, mandatory use of navigation lights, and increased emphasis on boater education courses, particularly for navigating tidal waters and oyster beds that pose a hidden danger. The loss of the Montgomerys serves as a heartbreaking catalyst for change in how maritime safety is approached in the region.

Lowcountry Maritime Safety: Lessons from the Fatal Capsizing

The devastating Skull Creek incident is now a key reference point for discussions on Lowcountry maritime safety and the dangers of night boating. The confluence of factors—darkness, tidal currents, and the failure to maintain a proper lookout—created a fatal scenario that can be avoided through better education and adherence to safety protocols.

Essential Safety Measures for Night Boating

Boat operators in the Hilton Head and Beaufort County area must take extra precautions, especially after sunset. The following safety practices are crucial for preventing a similar boating fatality:

• Maintain a Constant Lookout: The SCDNR report emphasizes this. The operator must be fully focused on the water ahead, with no distractions.
• Reduce Speed: Visibility is drastically reduced at night. Lowering speed gives the operator more time to react to unexpected hazards, such as an unmarked channel marker, debris, or a sudden wake.
• Know Your Waterway: Tidal creeks like Skull Creek can be unpredictable. Operators should have a deep understanding of local currents, water depths, and the location of submerged oyster beds and sandbars.
• Utilize Navigation Aids: Ensure all navigation lights are functioning correctly. Use GPS and radar systems, but do not rely on them exclusively—they are supplements to, not replacements for, a proper visual lookout.
• Wear a Life Vest: In a sudden capsizing event, there is often no time to don a life vest. The SCDNR strongly recommends wearing life vests, especially when operating a vessel at night or in challenging conditions.

The tragic loss of Rick and Patsy Montgomery is a powerful, somber reminder that the waters surrounding Hilton Head Island, while beautiful, demand the utmost respect and caution. The final SCDNR report and its findings on the Skull Creek boat accident serve as a definitive resource for improving boater safety across the entire South Carolina coast.