Latest news with #ClearwaterFerry
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘We're scattered': It could be several days before Clearwater condo is deemed safe
CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) – Crews were at work Thursday stabilizing and repairing a cracked pillar in a Clearwater Beach condo building. On Tuesday, residents were forced to evacuate from the South Beach III condominium building on Sand Key. Clearwater Ferry resumes daily operation The split prompted a massive response on Gulf Boulevard. Sixty people were forced to evacuate, and some residents were carried out on stretchers. Residents will not be able to return home until the project is complete. 'I live on the 12th floor,' said resident Scott May. 'All of a sudden, I got (a) knock, two firemen on the door hard that we had to get out immediately. I am wearing the exact same clothes that I wore when I left, Tuesday, coming down from the building.' Officials said the crack was discovered amid the condo renovation project to the garage floor. It's one of many renovations taking place over recent months. Last year, an engineering firm conducted a milestone inspection for the Clearwater Key Association, South Beach III Condominium at 1460 Gulf Boulevard. The City of Clearwater released the following statement about the recent milestone inspection report conducted by Karins Engineering: 'Those documents were provided to their Community Association in August and September of 2024, and the city does not have record of receiving these required building milestone inspection reports by the Dec. 31, 2024, deadline. Per Florida Statute, buildings 30 years old before July 1, 2022, must have their initial inspection by Dec. 31, 2024, and meet all the statutory requirements in order to be in compliance.' On Wednesday, city officials received the phase 1 milestone inspection reports that were issued on August 8, 2024, and Sept. 26, 2024. The report states that the engineer did not observe conditions that would compromise the safety of the building for its intended use and occupancy. 'I don't think it can hurt to have a second opinion,' May said. 'People's lives are at stake. If we go back up there, of course, we want to know that we're safe.' The city issued a permit to a general contractor for temporary shoring. Officials said there will be a threshold inspection to verify the work and to allow occupancy of the building. Additional work will be needed to complete more substantial repairs. According to officials, the Clearwater Building Official will not allow residents to return to the building until a structural engineer delivers a report with confirmation that the structure is stable and safe to occupy. Leaders with the Clearwater Fire and Rescue Division said construction crews saw a crack in one of the beams, noticed the split was widening and called first responders. The 12-story, 140-unit condo building was constructed in 1980. According to the Clearwater permitting website, the structure was inspected last May. The Red Cross is assisting displaced residents. The condo association told residents that it could be three to four more days before until structural engineers verify the building is safe to re-enter. On Thursday, the condo association sent this update to residents: 'While the building is still under no access, we are working on a plan to have resident entry for emergency retrieval of personal items. The City and the Engineer continue to work on stabilizing the building. We anticipate written authorization for emergency access from Karins Engineering within the next 24 hours.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Clearwater Ferry crash victim sues Jeffry Knight after deadly collision
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways The Brief A Pinellas County school teacher who was on the Clearwater Ferry the night of a deadly crash is suing Jeffry Knight for more than $50,000. In a lawsuit, Nicole Makelele claims she suffered bodily injuries, disability, disfigurement and other injuries. The crash killed a father of two and injured 10 others. It remains under investigation by FWC. No arrests have been made. CLEARWATER, Fla. - A Pinellas County school teacher who was onboard the Clearwater Ferry when it was involved in a deadly crash is suing Jeffry Knight, the boater who was operating the vessel that slammed into the back of the ferry. What we know According to the lawsuit, Nicole Makelelele is suing Knight for more than $50,000. The lawsuit states that Makelelele "suffered bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expense of medical care and treatment, loss of earnings, and aggravation of previously existing conditions. These losses are either permanent or continuing in nature, and [she] will suffer such losses in the future." It accuses Knight of operating his boat in a careless manner, including excessive speed, failing to take evasive action, and fleeing the scene without rendering aid. So far, no criminal charges have been filed against Knight. The backstory Knight was the operator of the recreational boat that crashed into the Clearwater Ferry near the Memorial Causeway Bridge on the night of April 27. It left Palm Harbor father of two, Jose Castro, dead and 10 others injured. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said more than 40 people were on board the Clearwater Ferry at the time of the crash, and six people were on board the 37-foot recreational boat. RELATED: Jannus Live owner steps down after Clearwater Ferry crash leaves 1 dead, 10 injured FWC investigators said they spoke with Knight after the crash, and he and all the passengers on the recreational boat were cooperative with the investigation. Knight even did a voluntary breathalyzer test, which came back with a reading of zero. However, FWC says no blood tests were done. Conflicting statements What they're saying Attorney J. Kevin Hayslett, who represents Knight, sent two letters to investigators along with three witness statements from passengers onboard Knight's boat. Hayslett said that one of Knight's passengers called 911 while Knight tried to render aid to the victims, then only left the scene once his boat took on too much water and first responders arrived. Another passenger said Knight was yelling, "They had no lights. Where the f*** were their lights?" Pictured: Scene after the Clearwater Ferry crash on April 27. A third letter, written to the FWC on Knight's behalf, stated ""According to 33 CFR § 83.34(d) (Rule 34 of the Inland Navigation Rules), when a vessel is in sight of another and there is doubt as to the other vessel's intentions, the proper and immediate response is five short and rapid blasts on the vessel's whistle or horn," Hayslett said. "This signal is critical to prevent collisions and is considered the standard response to imminent danger." In the letter, Knight's attorney said a passenger reportedly heard the captain or a crew member shout, 'Hey, hey, hey!' just before the crash. "Multiple witness statements and press accounts indicate that no such horn signal was made prior to the crash," Hayslett said. Knight's attorney also questioned the capacity on the ferry and whether it was in compliance with USCG requirements. He requested the preservation of ticket sale logs for the ferry, Maddie's Crossing. Hayslett continued to question the ferry's navigation lighting, specifically the stern light and side lights on the vessel. "On Maddie's Crossing, the only visible white light appears to be mounted foreship," Hayslett said. "Though this light was elevated above the deck, a vessel approaching from the stern would not have seen this light as it was obstructed by the canopy. Knight's attorney requested the preservation of evidence including the ferry's navigation system, on-board camera data, 911 calls and maintenance log of the ferry. The other side However, attorneys for Mickey Keenan, P.A., a law firm representing victims, including the family of Marcos Pacheco and Brenda Alvarez, say Knight's version of events does not match what took place the night of the crash. Lawyers pointed out three statements, in particular, writing: "Knight's Claim 1: Allegations of "leaving the scene" are without Legal or Factual Basis. Truth: Jeffry Knight, LEFT THE SCENE of the crash, this is the only fact that is undisputed. He drove away, period, end of story. Knight's Claim 2: "In the moments before the collision, the captain and many PASSENGERS were distracted by dolphins in the area, diminishing navigational awareness." Truth: Blaming the victims for this crash is offensive and improper. If it was light enough out that the victims could see dolphins, why couldn't Knight see a massive ferry directly in front of him? The answer: Because he wasn't paying attention. Knight's Claim 3: "The Clearwater Ferry was not displaying the required navigational lights at the time of the accident" … "The uncontested facts show that Mr. Knight acted in full compliance with Florida law." Truth: None of Mr. Knight's actions were responsible, lawful, or in sound judgment. The video of the ferry crash is not ambiguous, Knight's failure to follow the relevant nautical rules is the primary cause of the collision with the ferry. No matter what Jeffry Knight says, it is clear that his actions caused this collision and the immeasurable pain and suffering of his victims." Dig deeper Scot Seplowe, who is representing Pacheco and Alvarez, says some of the statements made by Knight's attorney since the crash add insult to injury. "They're dealing with the trauma," Seplowe said. "They're deal with their injuries, but ultimately now, they're dealing with someone blaming them." The couple says they were coming back from Clearwater Beach with their young children the night of the crash. "It has definitely not been easy, for sure, on any of us and just, it's draining," Alvarez said. "It's emotionally draining." The couple responded to statements made by Knight's attorney that questioned the lighting and navigation on the ferry. "We could see them," Pacheco said. "We could see them, and then they're claiming that they couldn't see our ferry, but they can see that we were being distracted like all kind of this. It's almost insulting." RELATED: Jannus Live owner steps down after Clearwater Ferry crash leaves 1 dead, 10 injured They also responded to a statement made about some passengers on the ferry being distracted by dolphins right before the crash. "There was no dolphins," Alvarez said. "If anybody needs to hear that, there was no dolphins. We would have been the first to point them out because we have toddlers and you know, we always like to see things that are going on around us and we would've liked to point out the dolphins if we were to have seen dolphins." Although Knight's attorney says he acted lawfully and responsibly at every point after the crash, the couples' attorney says otherwise. The couple says they want to see this investigation come to a resolution, so their family can move forward. "We're not here to point fingers," Pacheco said. "We were put in a position that we shouldn't have been, that our kids shouldn't have been. So, we just wanted to be able to heal and move on and be there for our kids." What's next The lawsuit states that Makelelele is demanding a trial. What you can do FWC is still investigating the crash and is asking for any video footage from the area between 8 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. on April 27. The Source This story was written with information provided in a lawsuit and previous FOX 13 News articles. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hillsborough Solid Waste helps more than 100 businesses decrease eco-footprint through program
The Brief Hillsborough County Solid Waste helps businesses decrease their eco-footprint through its Commercial Recycling Consultation Program. In 2023, Hillsborough County collected nearly 3.5 million tons of solid waste. The Hillsborough County Sustainability Committee is working to increase the recycling rate locally through a free educational program. TAMPA, Fla. - Hillsborough County Solid Waste has helped more than 100 businesses reduce their eco footprint through its Commercial Recycling Consultation Program. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, in 2023, more than 53 million tons of solid waste were collected statewide, and 3.5 million tons came from Hillsborough County. Local perspective The Florida Legislature said recycling rates are not where they should be. In 2020, the state's recycling rate was 50%, falling short of its 75% goal. The Hillsborough County Sustainability Committee is working to increase the recycling rate locally through a free educational program. "We have a Commercial Recycling Consultation Program," said Hillsborough County Recycling Coordinator Angela Fama. "Helping keep these materials out of our landfill, getting them back into production to help create new items." Fama said Hillsborough County's 38,000 businesses and non-profits are welcome to participate to lower their eco footprint. "To date, we've completed over 100 recycling consultations, some of which have been for county departments, including fire rescue, and the Medical Examiner's Office," Fama said. More recently, the Hillsborough Pet Resource Center participated. The Commercial Recycling Consultation team does a walkthrough of the business to identify materials that belong in the recycling bin. READ: Passengers and crew aboard cruise ship detail seeing chaos of Clearwater Ferry crash "We unfortunately did not have a recycling program here at Pet Resource Center, so we were going through a lot of dumpsters every day," said Hillsborough Pet Resource Center Division Director Chelsea Waldeck." Dumpster pickup would be one to two times a day every single day of the week." What's next The Hillsborough PRC now has recycling dumpsters and bins for recycling many items that were previously unavailable. "Whether it's donations coming in through Amazon boxes or just feeding bags and feeding cans, and all of the treat boxes that we have, medication boxes," Waldeck said. Waldeck said it's a good feeling to give back to the community in new ways. "Knowing that as a government entity we are using our resources as wisely as we possibly can," Waldeck said. What you can do To request a consultation or educational resources, email Recycling@ CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis collected the information in this story. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
New York Post
29-04-2025
- New York Post
Frantic mayday call revealed chaos after deadly Florida ferry boat collision: ‘Ferry is adrift'
Newly released audio of a mayday call captured the frantic moments in the aftermath of the deadly collision between a Florida ferry and a private boat Sunday night, which left one dead and 10 others injured. 'Mayday, mayday, mayday! There's been a boat collision. The Clearwater ferry, underneath the Clearwater Memorial Causeway. The Clearwater ferry is adrift,' the unnamed caller announced to the US Coast Guard in the eight-second audio. The water taxi, operated by PSTA and the Clearwater Ferry, was carrying 45 passengers onboard at the end of the 17-day Sugar Sand Festival. 5 A webcam captures the deadly Florida collision between a ferry and another boat on April 27, 2025. City of Clearwater The collision was quickly declared a 'mass casualty incident' by authorities who recalled the 'horrific screaming' from the background of 911 calls. Jose Castro, 41, was identified as the ferry passenger killed in the collision. Still, officials said the crash could have been worse. A worker on the ferry was hailed a hero for his actions. 'Efforts of a ferry crew member likely saved lives last night,' Clearwater Police Chief Eric Ganday said Monday. 5 The damaged Clearwater Ferry sits on a sandbar after the collision. AP 5 The deadly collision happened near the Memorial Causeway in Clearwater, Florida. City of Clearwater Officials also released footage of the deadly wreck. A web camera set up in nearby Coachman Park picked up the water taxi traveling near the causeway at 8:43 p.m. The 40-foot ferry was putting along when the private 37-foot boat raced into frame. The stationary camera, overlooking a marina and the water, captured the moment of impact when the smaller boat landed on top of the ferry. 5 The ferry's roof was damaged in the incident. AP Ten passengers were left with injuries ranging from scrapes to broken bones and head wounds. 'We are heartbroken for the person who lost their life, everyone who was hurt, and their families. We deeply appreciate the dedication of the first responders and others who rushed to help Sunday night,' Clearwater Ferry wrote on Facebook. The private boat, operated by Jeff Knight, immediately fled the scene, officials said. Knight was found hours later, nearly four miles from the wreck. He voluntarily submitted to a breathalyzer test, with police noting he had zero trace of alcohol in his system. 5 Officials and first responders stand on a beach near the crash site. No charges have been filed yet as officials are working with prosecutors to determine the cause and aftermath of the crash. 'We are currently working with the state attorney's office to make sure we fit whatever legal definitions for hit and run should or shouldn't be, based on the circumstances that persisted that evening,' Florida Fish and Wildlife officials said.
Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
CCTV captures shocking Florida ferry crash which left one dead and at least 12 injured
WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Officials say they located the driver of the private boat, which alegedly fled the scene, three hours after the collision on Sunday night Police have released dramatic CCTV footage showing the moment a boat crashed into a ferry in Florida killing at least one person and injuring dozens more in what officials called a 'mass casualty' accident. One person has died and multiple people have been injured following the catastrophic collision on Sunday evening. The boats collided in Clearwater, Florida, near the city's Memorial Causeway Bridge on Sunday April 27, the last night of the 17-day Sugar Sand Festival, when people were traveling back and forth by ferry. Local officials confirmed the ferry would have been carrying over 40 passengers and crew at the time it was struck. The boat involved quickly fled the scene after hitting the ferry, according to the Clearwater Police Department. Yesterday in a statement on X The Clearwater Police Department shared: "Along with @clearwaterfire, we're working a boat crash off the Memorial Causeway bridge that has resulted in multiple injuries. It's been declared a mass casualty incident by the fire department due to the number of injuries. All local hospitals have been notified. Multiple trauma alerts have been called with helicopters transporting two of the more seriously injured. Drivers should avoid Memorial Causeway. "The crash involved the Clearwater Ferry, which had more than 40 people on board. All of the injuries are from the ferry. The boat that struck the ferry fled the scene. The @USCG and @MyFWC will be handling the crash investigation. The ferry came to rest on a sandbar just south of the Memorial Causeway bridge. All patients and passengers have been removed from the boat." Just a few hours later they added: "One person has died from injuries in tonight's boat crash. @MyFWC will be handing the crash investigation." The latest update from Clearwater Police Department on he boat collision has included some dramatic footage. The force shared: "This video was released by the Clearwater Police Department at a news conference this afternoon related to Sunday night's boat crash that left one person dead and 10 injured on the Clearwater Ferry. The view is from a live web cam at Coachman Park that shows the park and the marina/waterfront area. @MyFWC is investigating the crash, along with the @USCG." At a Monday afternoon news conference officials said they located the driver of the private boat, which allegedly fled the scene, three hours after the collision on Sunday night. The driver was found by a partnering law enforcement agency, Clearwater police said. The driver's identity has not been released, reports MailOnline. Distressing new audio has revealed the mayday call made by crew on the Clearwater Ferry moments after the boat crash. "Mayday, mayday, mayday, there's been a boat collision! The Clearwater ferry, underneath the Clearwater Memorial Causeway. The Clearwater ferry is adrift," the controller was heard shouting as the two vessels collided. The US Coast Guard said that on-scene reports indicated that all 45 people on the ferry and all six people on the boat were accounted for. All of those injured were aboard the ferry, according to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The person who died has not been formally identified. Clearwater Ferry said in a statement: "We are heartbroken for the person who lost their life, everyone who was hurt, and their families. We deeply appreciate the dedication of the first responders and others who rushed to help Sunday night. We are cooperating with the investigation. Safety is the top priority for PSTA and the Clearwater Ferry."
