The marshes of Savannah and the surrounding islands are full of passageways to the ocean, and in turn, there is a very strong boating community. From fishermen, to dolphin tour guides, to casual sailors looking for a relaxed lifestyle, the Savannah marshes are a hub for anyone who loves the sea. This community may seem rough and grimy from the outside, but it is one of the kindest and weirdest, most welcoming communities I have ever documented. From the second I began talking to people and explaining what I was doing they immediately offered to help. On one of my visits I was taken on a boating trip and offered an inside look at their world.   

            This community is incredibly proud of their vessels, whether it is a dinghy or a shrimper; they see it as the grandest yacht of the sea. Many of these boats have been handed down through generations, and hold the heritage of the oceanic marshland. These island communities have depended on the water for their livelihood for decades. With modern grocery stores and fast food restaurants, it almost seems unnecessary for these communities to exist. But the seafarer community’s purpose has grown deeper than survival. It has become a joy and a right for these islanders, with salt water running through their veins, they hold an unparalleled passion for the sea.