Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy in Charleston, SC

High winds and rough seas rocked the Carnival Sunshine’s return sailing to Charleston over Memorial Day weekend, thrusting the pleasure ship into the international news cycle.

Passengers shared their experiences on social media showing flooded hallways and what they could see from their cabins and other vantage points.

See more video of the conditions on the Charleston-based cruise ship boat below:

The aftermath aboard Carnival Sunshine after a severe storm. The crew from Deck 0-4 evacuated to the theater, and anywhere they could rest… the crew bar destroyed. pic.twitter.com/MqsDJYvrSG

— Crew Center (@CrewCenter) May 28, 2023

@k8lyns_momCarnival Sunshine cruise. We had rough waters our last night! #carnivalcruise #carnivalsunshine #carnivalsunshinecruiseoriginal sound - Nichole

@CarnivalCruise #carnivalsunshine. This was on Deck 12 at 11:38pm. We were in the piano bar right before when 30+ bottles of liquor jumped off of the bar and broke. We were told to leave the piano bar as there was liquor running across the floor. pic.twitter.com/2t1OLwY4go

— FlyersCaptain™®© (@flyerscaptain) May 29, 2023

CARTA’s free park-and-ride seasonal seaside connection between Mount Pleasant and Isle of Palms is back for a third year.

The Beach Reach Shuttle will run weekends from this holiday weekend through Labor Day, transporting locals and visitors from Mount Pleasant Towne Center to 14th Avenue/Ocean Boulevard, where they can access the Atlantic.

The service runs from 9:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each Saturday and 9:40 a.m. to 5:55 p.m. on Sunday.

The shuttle is fare-free thanks to contributions from the Mount Pleasant and Isle of Palms local governments.

Last year, a total of 415 trips were taken by Beach Reach riders.

“We tried to make it as simple as possible,” said CARTA chairman Mike Seekings, who also is on Charleston City Council. “It takes away all the headaches and costs associated with parking and going to the beach on the busy weekends. We offer free transportation and drop you right off at the Isle of Palms County Park. Our hope is that more people will take advantage of the line, and ridership will grow.”

The idea came out of years of concerns over the availability, accessibility and price of beach parking. An app helps riders follow the buses in real time.

Memorial metric

Memorial Day isn’t just the unofficial start of the summer tourist season: The three-day weekend also draws more visitors into town to stay longer.

Looking at hotel occupancy averages since 2019, the weekend before and after the holiday already set the bar high at its seasonal 90 percent occupancy, according to Daniel Guttentag, director of the College of Charleston’s Office of Tourism Analysis.

“We see a slight uptick in occupancy Friday through Saturday during Memorial Day weekend, but the real spike is on Sunday because visitors extend their stay an extra day before heading home Monday,” Guttentag said. “Sunday’s occupancy rate jumps from its typical 63 percent to 90 percent.”

Hotel average daily rates also tend to go up by roughly 20 percent for the holiday weekend and the weekend that follows it. Among the drivers is Spoleto Festival USA, the annual 17-day global arts extravaganza that gets underway in late May each year along with the city-run Piccolo Spoleto Festival.

On board

The Patriots Point Development Authority has added a decorated veteran and former lawmaker to its board with personal ties to one of its historic ships.

James Smith Jr. was recently appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster on the recommendation from the state’s head of military operations, Maj. Gen. R. Van McCarty.

Smith served in the S.C. Army National Guard and later as an infantry officer in Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan. He also served in the S.C House as a representative for more than 20 years and is currently a partner at the law firm of Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough in Columbia.

Smith’s ties to Patriots Point go back to his grandfather, who during World War II served aboard the naval destroyer Laffey destroyer, one of the ships visitors can tour at the state-owned military attraction.

The Charleston County School Board has voted to pick Eric Gallien to be the district’s next superintendent.

The board voted 6-2 to enter into contract negotiations with Gallien, currently a superintendent in Wisconsin. He is the only remaining finalist in the search to lead the state’s second-largest school district after two candidates withdrew last week.

The board discussed Gallien’s candidacy in a closed session May 30 and then took a vote after resuming the meeting in public. Trustees gave no public explanation of their votes.

Board chairwoman Pam McKinney said in an interview that Gallien impressed her. She liked his answers to a focus group’s questions last week in Charleston and feels good that his 100-day plan includes meeting and hearing from the community before making any changes.

“We are impressed with the fact that he wants to analyze first,” she said.

Even though Gallien was the board’s only remaining candidate, McKinney said she is convinced he was the best candidate. She was open to restarting the search but felt confident voting for him.

“He understands and stated that ‘I know this will be a challenge, I accept the challenge,’” she said.

Board member Keith Grybowski said he thinks Gallien will provide stability to an unstable situation. Grybowski said he was most impressed by what Gallien said about how he will work with the board.

“I think the board is looking for someone that they trust and can work with,” he said. “We’ve got some big challenges coming up.”

Grybowski said he was confident in his vote.

Board members Carlotte Bailey and Edward Kelley voted against the motion to begin negotiations. The two did not respond to requests for comment. Board member Leah Whatley was absent. Whatley said in a text message that she wasn’t ready to comment publicly.

Other board members did not respond to requests to comment.

Gallien, 53, declined through a CCSD spokeswoman to speak with a reporter until after contract negotiations were finalized.

“I’m excited about this next step in the selection process and honored to be the candidate of choice to lead CCSD forward,” Gallien said in a press release issued by the district. “I strongly believe in my ability to bring impactful, positive change to the students, families, and educators of CCSD and look forward to getting to work.”

CCSD names Don Kennedy superintendent until replacement found

If negotiations are successful, Gallien will succeed Don Kennedy, who has served temporarily as superintendent since Gerrita Postlewait resigned suddenly in December 2021.

A previous school board interviewed search firms last year but decided to leave the hiring up to the new board because all nine seats were up for election. In March, the new board hired BWP and Associates to run the search.

A total of 44 candidates applied and BWP recommended seven to the board. On May 22, the board voted on six semifinalists who were identified only by the letters A, B, C, D, E and F. One candidate received nine votes of support, while two others received six votes of support. The other three did not have majority support.

The board did not immediately disclose the names of the newly named finalists and told The Post and Courier on May 23 that the names couldn’t be released yet. State law that says all search materials related to the final three applicants for a public position are public records, and an attorney for the S.C. Press Association told the paper the district should have made the names public upon request once the board selected three finalists.

The candidates ended up being named in an anonymous post to a parent Facebook group. The next day, the district announced the names of two of the three.

The district didn’t disclose the name of the third candidate until its announcement that the board was negotiating with Gallien. The third candidate was Kenneth Bradshaw, the superintendent in Augusta, Georgia’s Richmond County School System.

Bradshaw and Charles McNulty, the Pulaski County Special School District superintendent in Little Rock, Ark., both withdrew from consideration before making their planned visits to Charleston for final interviews. The district said they pulled out after their names were publicly posted before they had a chance to tell their current districts. They didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Gallien toured the district last week before news of the other two candidates’ withdrawal was known. He interviewed with the board a final time, visited three schools, took questions from a focus group and attended a community meet-and-greet at Burke High School.

He became superintendent in Racine in 2018. Prior to that, he served as the district’s deputy superintendent for five years.

Jane Barbian, the Racine school board’s president, said she has a good relationship with Gallien.

“We worked well together,” she said. “He has done a lot of good things for our district.”

Barbian credited his ability to build partnerships with business leaders and expand the district’s academies, which offer high schoolers an opportunity to gain experience in areas they’d like to explore as careers. He also developed a facilities plan for the district and worked to secure support for a referendum to pay for the plan, she said.

Racine is a small district, with about 16,000 students. Barbian said the superintendent there has to navigate urban, suburban and rural areas, something Gallien touched on in his focus group interview as experience that would be an asset for him in Charleston.

“We’re sad to see him go,” she said.

According to a news release from the district, Gallien is a Marine Corps veteran who saw combat in Operation Desert Storm. He has a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, two master’s degrees from Alverno College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Gallien began his education career as a teacher assistant and then became a classroom teacher. He’s served as a principal and district leader. Prior to working in Racine, Gallien worked in Milwaukee Public Schools leading turnaround efforts at academically struggling schools.

He is currently on medical leave from the Racine school district, according to an out-of-office email. A November article in The (Racine) Journal Times says he planned to take medical leave after having surgery.

He has family that lives in South Carolina and his grandmother grew up in the Charleston area. Gallien has two daughters, three sons and five grandchildren.

Following negotiations, the board is expected to vote on his contract. McKinney said she didn’t know when that might occur.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WPDE) — A Horry County resident was aboard the Carnival Sunshine during Memorial Day weekend when the ship sailed through a severe storm.

Videos from the ship have since gone viral of waves that thrashed the side of the ship.

The vessel was constantly rocking and appeared to suffer flooding on the lower decks.

TOP STORY: Officer drove 128mph, lost sight of suspect vehicle in deadly chase near Longs: Report

Sharon Tutrone, who is a professor at Coastal Carolina University, said she went about 12 hours without an update from the captain or crew with no wi-fi or cellphone service to know what was going on.

"I grabbed hold of the bed, and I said in my head, I said 'oh my god this ship is going to capsize,'" said Tutrone.

CCU professor, Sharon Tutrone, recalls storm aboard Carnival Sunshine (Credit: Sharon Tutrone with permission for all SBG stations)

She said at moments, she wasn't sure she was going to make it.

"When that wave hit, that had to be a 20 to 25-foot wave that hit us. I will never forget that crushing sound, it was like it just slammed into the ship and that wave just shattered a glass building, that's what it sounded like, it was just glass breaking, and I thought the front end of the ship was taken off," she recalled.

TRENDING: Gun expert explains new ATF short-barrel rifle rule as registration deadline approaches

Trutrone compared the frightening experience to her cancer diagnosis and recovery.

"I just recently beat breast cancer, and I thought going through that was scary, and I felt anxiety with that, but never to the level that I felt on this trip. I mean I was on pins and needles, my heart was in my mouth that whole time," she explained.

CCU professor, Sharon Tutrone, recalls storm aboard Carnival Sunshine (Credit: Sharon Tutrone with permission for all SBG stations)

Despite the horrifying experience, Tutrone said she is not going to let it ruin her love of cruises. She plans to be back on one again soon, just not with Carnival. ''oh my god this ship is going to capsize.

0

A representative from Carnival said in a statement:

"Carnival Sunshine’s return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday. Guests on board the ship were safe. Our medical staff helped a small number of guests and crew members who needed minor assistance. The weather’s prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship’s arrival on Sunday and as a result, the next voyage’s embarkation was also delayed. We appreciate the patience and understanding of all our guests."

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The USL Championship announced Tuesday that Battery goalkeeper Trey Muse, defender Derek Dodson and forward Augi Williams were named to the league's Week 12 Team of the Week. Muse's 10-save shutout on Saturday earned him Championship Player of the Week, presented by Konami eFootball, his second time receiving the award this year.

This is a modal window.

No compatible source was found for this media.

DSN's Fantasy Factory has stocks: Buy Low for these fantasy players

The trio turned in outstanding performances during the Battery's 0-2 road victory over Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, securing Charleston three big points to remain in first place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Muse played a pivotal role in the win by recording 10 saves on the night, setting the single-game high for saves in the USL Championship this year. The shutout was the first since the 2019 Championship regular season to feature double-digit saves and it was Muse's fifth clean sheet of the season, which ranks him tied for second-most in the league. It is Muse's second Player of the Week and Team of the Week nod this year.

Williams was a force against RGV, notching his second brace of the season. The Sierra Leone international found the back of the net on both sides of halftime. The first goal came in the 30th minute following some exceptional build-up play by the team and the second in the 65th minute from the penalty spot. The honor marks Williams' second Team of the Week selection this year.

Dodson was active on both offense and defense with 11 duels won and a team-high nine recoveries. The wingback also registered two interceptions, two tackles won and seven passes into the final third during the shutout victory. This is Dodson's third Team of the Week selection this year.

This week's honor brings the Battery's Team of the Week selections to 13 and Player of the Week selections to three so far this season.

Head Coach Ben Pirmann congratulated the trio for the accolades they earned.

"It is always a great honor for our players to earn awards, these three had solid performances again and made big plays to help the team win three points," said Coach Pirmann. "Hopefully we can continue to earn more awards each week and month throughout the season, as that is an indication that we are succeeding as a team."

Muse earned 53% of the ballot to claim the award, Detroit City FC's Maxi Rodriguez finished second with 27% of the votes. The Championship's Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship.

The slate of honors comes as Charleston look to keep the momentum of their back-to-back victories rolling atop the Eastern Conference standings. The Black and Yellow will take on Indy Eleven on Fri., June 2, at Patriots Point and tickets are available now via SeatGeek.com, the Battery's exclusive digital ticketing provider.

USL Championship Team of the Week - Week 12

GK - Trey Muse, Charleston Battery | Player of the Week

D - Arturo Ordonez, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

D - Lamar Batista, San Antonio FC

D - Derek Dodson, Charleston Battery

D - Fabien Garcia, San Antonio FC

M - Maxi Rodriguez, Detroit City FC

M - Jack Gurr, Sacramento Republic FC

M - Memo Diaz, Oakland Roots SC

F - Augustine Williams, Charleston Battery

F - Juan Herrera, Sacramento Republic FC

F - Phillip Goodrum, FC Tulsa

Bench: Paul Blanchette (OAK), Eric Bird (TUL), Lucas Stauffer (LV), Ryan Spaulding (TBR), Juan David Cabezas (RGV), Russell Cicerone (SAC), JJ Williams (TBR)

Check out the Charleston Battery Statistics

• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.