Johnny Causey Boat Ramp: Open Or Closed?

The Johnny Causey Boat Ramp, located in North Myrtle Beach, has been the site of several notable incidents in recent years. From boat fires to death investigations, the boat ramp has made headlines on multiple occasions. With a history of falling concrete from the nearby bridge, the boat ramp has also faced periodic closures and repairs. As of 2024, the boat ramp remains a popular destination for boaters, but it is important to stay up to date with any safety updates or closures before visiting.

A boat fire at the Johnny Causey Boat Ramp injured four people

On Monday, a boat fire at the Johnny Causey Boat Ramp in North Myrtle Beach injured four people, including a toddler. The North Myrtle Beach Fire Department reported that three adults and one toddler sustained burn injuries and were transported to the hospital. The incident occurred around 2 p.m., with smoke observed billowing from a boat on the water at the boat ramp.

Bystanders commended the quick response of the emergency crews who arrived on the scene. The boat was inspected and removed from the boat ramp by 4:30 p.m., deemed a total loss by the North Myrtle Beach Fire Chief. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the SCDNR and North Myrtle Beach authorities.

The Johnny Causey Boat Ramp, located under the Hwy 17 ICW Bridge, has experienced previous issues with falling concrete from the bridge. The landing was closed for repairs in March 2019 due to these concerns, but the bridge itself remained open as the structural integrity was not compromised. Officials addressed the hazard posed by falling concrete to cars parked below the bridge.

In August 2024, the boat ramp made headlines again when a body was discovered floating in the waterway. Officials from the North Myrtle Beach Police Department and Fire Department responded to the scene, finding an unknown nude male with no visible physical injuries. An autopsy was scheduled to determine the cause of death.

The Johnny Causey Boat Ramp has been the site of several notable incidents, including the boat fire that injured four people and the discovery of a body in the waterway. The boat ramp is located within the city limits of North Myrtle Beach and provides access to the Intracoastal Waterway.

A body was found floating in the Intracoastal Waterway near the boat ramp

On Sunday, August 11, 2024, a body was found floating in the Intracoastal Waterway near the Johnny Causey Boat Ramp in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The deceased was an unknown male who was found floating face down in the water, with no visible physical injuries and no clothing.

Witnesses to the discovery were launching their boat from the dock when they noticed what appeared to be a body floating in the water. They approached a nearby family and asked them to call the police. When officials arrived, they confirmed that the man was deceased and did not appear to have any signs of injury or trauma. The coroner observed the body while it was still in the water before it was removed by the North Myrtle Beach Fire Department and taken away by the Horry County Coroner's Office Transport vehicle. An autopsy was scheduled for a later date.

The Johnny Causey Boat Ramp and the adjacent Highway 17 bridge are both owned by the state. The boat landing has closed previously due to falling concrete from the bridge, but officials have stated that the bridge's structural integrity remains intact and it is safe for travel.

In a separate incident, the body of a man, later identified as Jon Lejiste, 32, was found floating in the Intracoastal Waterway near Spillway Park in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, in May 2023. Lejiste had been reported missing by his family, and the medical examiner determined that his death was not suspicious. Additionally, in September 2023, the body of an unidentified man was discovered floating in the Intracoastal Waterway near Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach, resulting in the arrest of Papaver Dubois for second-degree murder and firing a weapon into a dwelling or vehicle.

The boat ramp was closed in 2019 due to falling concrete from a bridge

The Johnny Causey Boat Landing in North Myrtle Beach was closed in 2019 due to falling concrete from a bridge. The landing, which is located directly underneath the U.S. 17 bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway, was shut down on March 27, 2019, after reports of concrete falling from the bridge. This created a hazardous situation for cars parked in the boat landing below. Despite this issue, officials from the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) assured the public that the structural integrity of the bridge was not impacted and that it was safe for travel.

This was not the first time that concrete had fallen from the bridge. North Myrtle Beach Spokesperson Pat Dowling acknowledged that this incident had occurred previously. Despite this, the landing remained closed until repairs could be made to the bridge. SCDOT officials announced that an emergency repair contract was in the works and that the boat landing would stay closed until the bridge was fixed. They did not provide a timeline for the repairs or the reopening of the landing.

The falling concrete posed a significant safety risk to those using the boat landing. With concrete debris in the area, there was a danger of injuries or damage to vehicles and property. As a result, the closure of the landing was necessary to ensure the safety of the public. During the closure, SCDOT crews worked diligently to repair the bridge and address the issue of falling concrete. They conducted inspections under the bridge and made sure that the concrete would remain securely attached.

The Johnny Causey Boat Landing remained closed for several months while repairs were ongoing. Finally, in May 2019, the landing reopened after final inspections by SCDOT crews. The crews worked efficiently to complete the repairs and ensure the safety of the bridge for the public's use. The incident highlights the importance of proactive maintenance and swift action in addressing infrastructure issues to prevent potential hazards and maintain the safety of the community.

The North Myrtle Beach Fire Department removed the body from the water

The Johnny Causey Boat Ramp in North Myrtle Beach has been the site of several incidents in recent years. In March 2019, the boat landing was closed due to falling concrete from the Highway 17 bridge above. While officials assured the public that the bridge's structural integrity was not compromised, repairs were necessary to ensure the safety of visitors.

On July 5, 2024, a tragic boat fire occurred at the Johnny Causey Boat Landing, resulting in injuries to three adults and a toddler. All four individuals were promptly transported to the hospital for treatment of burn injuries. Witnesses described seeing a plume of smoke and hearing an explosion. The boat was completely engulfed in flames and was ultimately removed from the landing, deemed a total loss.

On August 12, 2024, a more somber incident unfolded at the Johnny Causey Boat Ramp. Officials from the North Myrtle Beach Police Department received a report of a possible death and made a grim discovery upon their arrival. A deceased body was found floating face down in the waterway, with no visible physical injuries and no clothing.

The North Myrtle Beach Fire Department played a crucial role in this operation. Their team carefully moved the deceased individual into a stokes basket, enabling the removal of the body from the water with dignity and respect. This step was necessary to preserve any potential evidence and facilitate a thorough investigation into the unknown male's cause of death.

The coroner observed the deceased individual out of the water, noting the absence of any visible signs of injury or trauma. The Horry County Coroner's Office transported the body from the scene, and an autopsy was scheduled to determine the cause and circumstances of death. The North Myrtle Beach Fire Department's professional and compassionate handling of this delicate situation is commendable. Their efforts ensured that the victim was recovered respectfully and that the investigation could proceed without delay.

The coroner observed no signs of injury or trauma on the deceased

The Johnny Causey Boat Ramp in North Myrtle Beach has been the site of several incidents in recent years. Most recently, in August 2024, a body was discovered floating in the Intracoastal Waterway near the boat ramp. The deceased was a man, found nude and floating face down in the water. Officials from the North Myrtle Beach Police Department and Fire Department attended the scene, and the coroner observed no signs of injury or trauma on the deceased. The body was then transported away from the scene by the Horry County Coroners Office Transport vehicle, and an autopsy was scheduled for a later date. This incident marks a somber event in the recent history of the Johnny Causey Boat Ramp.

The coroner's observation of no visible signs of injury or trauma on the deceased suggests that the cause of death may have been non-violent in nature. However, it is important to note that the absence of visible injuries does not necessarily indicate a natural cause of death. Further examinations, including an autopsy, would be required to determine the exact cause of death. In cases where no obvious injuries are present, a thorough investigation is necessary to rule out any potential causes, including the possibility of internal injuries or underlying medical conditions.

The coroner's role in such cases is crucial, as they are responsible for examining the deceased and determining the cause and manner of death. By conducting a thorough examination, the coroner can provide valuable information that aids in the investigation and helps bring closure to the deceased's family. In this particular case, the coroner's observations ruled out any apparent physical trauma, indicating that the death may have occurred due to other factors.

While the absence of visible injuries may provide some initial insights, it is essential to approach such cases with caution and refrain from making premature conclusions. A comprehensive investigation, including witness testimonies, crime scene analysis, and forensic examinations, is necessary to piece together the events leading up to the death. Additionally, the coroner may also consider the possibility of drowning as a potential cause of death, given the location and position of the body in the waterway.

The discovery of a body without visible injuries can be particularly challenging for investigators, as they must explore various possibilities and consider all available evidence. In the case of the Johnny Causey Boat Ramp incident, the coroner's observation of no signs of injury or trauma on the deceased serves as a starting point for further inquiries. The subsequent autopsy and toxicology reports, as well as any additional forensic analyses, will play a crucial role in determining the cause and manner of death, providing much-needed answers to the victim's family and bringing closure to the case.

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