Latest news with #JannusLive
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Locals cheer on the Clearwater Ferry as it resumes service
They meandered down the marina, past the plastic dolphin molds, sunset cruises, pirate ships, flipper boat tours, the bearded tour guides in tie-dye and shades, and turned right toward a humbler vessel that still made tourists tilt their heads at its logo: 'Clearwater Ferry.' As the sun shrunk behind thick gray clouds, six people, mostly visitors but also a few suntanned locals, one carrying a yippy Chihuahua, returned to the ferry for a Thursday sunset ride. The day before was the first day of service since Jannus Live owner Jeff Knight's boat crashed into a ferry, killing one man and injuring 10 others. Cheryl Champagne, a mental health therapist from Palm Harbor, was going to sail near Davis Islands Thursday evening. But she changed plans when she learned the ferry would resume. 'I wanted to make sure the staff knew they were supported, and the ferry itself,' she said. 'We're all still angry because no charges have been filed' against Knight. For Michaelene Lourenco, 77, of Dunedin, any fear she might have felt quickly turned to outrage as Knight's defense took form after the crash. His lawyers said he left the scene 10 minutes after colliding with the pontoon-style boat carrying 45 people because his vessel was taking on water. They said the Clearwater Ferry was poorly lit, and its crew distracted by dolphins. 'This goes slow. They watch what they're doing,' Lourenco said. 'Dolphins are no distractions.' 'At 8:30,' she added, bristling, 'you can't see any dolphins. Hogwash about that whole dolphin story.' The ferry began to pull away from the dock, blaring its horn. At its fastest, it barely eclipsed nine knots, a little over 10 mph. The boat kept pace with a sunset cruise for a while. This vessel, called Monica's Crossing, was covered with gray seats lining the walls, open windows and a small bow for those hoping to catch a breeze. Captain Brian Powell recited safety measures on board, indicating the life jackets and fire extinguisher. No more than four on the bow at one time, he said. 'Yup,' Lourenco nodded, satisfied. 'They always make that announcement.' 'Brian,' she called. 'What's that island that nobody could step on?' 'We call it bird island,' he said, nodding toward a mangrove-covered slice of land. It's named for the birds that nest on it each year. The ferry made ripples to its right and left as Powell steered near Clearwater's Memorial Causeway. Between the ferry and the cruise across the way, a private boat cut through, moving fast and stirring a bigger wake. Within 30 seconds, the cruiser disappeared behind bird island. Powell continued his course, unperturbed. 'Dolphins!' said Greg Tag, a visitor from Oceanside, Calif. Others clambered onto the bow or peered out open windows at the pod of dolphins, babbling as they surfaced in the ferry's gentle wake. Everyone, it seemed, was distracted by the dolphins — except Powell. He helped passengers find the mammals as they circled the boat but then turned his gaze straight ahead, hands tight to the steering wheel. Champagne took the ferry for the first time last July with her sister. Since that first ride, Powell has always been her captain, she said. Her sister was the first person she texted when Champagne learned of the crash. She rarely takes other forms of public transportation. But the Clearwater Ferry, now a bona fide commuter option with runs every half-hour and a partnership with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, feels different. 'Yeah, this is more fun,' Champagne said, laughing. 'You get a boat ride for $5.' She returned because the ferry is one public resource Champagne doesn't want to lose. The boat bumped gently into the dock in downtown Clearwater. First mate Wayne Skees leaped off the bow, fixing the ferry to the dock with black rope. Passengers climbed off, returning to their cars parked near Coachman Park. Ten minutes later, the ferry took off again, this time carrying no one but its crew and a Tampa Bay Times reporter. Skees and Powell struggled to explain why they continued with a service now marred by a fatal crash. 'Well,' Skees said, lips pursed, 'you can't be afraid of everything in life. You fall off that bicycle, you've just gotta get back on it.' He fell silent and walked to the bow. Before he started working for the ferry five years ago, Powell worked on other cruises at the Clearwater Beach Marina. He felt pressure to perform for tourists. On the Clearwater Ferry, it's more like providing a public service, he said. Powell can be himself — relaxed, easygoing, focused on steering the boat. 'Nobody's tried to bite me today,' he said. 'What I mean is, people have been nice.' A month ago, Powell spotted an egret floating in the water, wings splayed. He grabbed a hooked rod on the boat and drew the bird in, setting it on the dock at Coachman Park. For two hours, he called the aquarium and local sanctuaries for help. Eventually, the waterlogged bird got up and waddled away. He had to assume it was OK. Powell would drop everything to help a flailing bird because he can't stand the sight of suffering, he said. Not near his boat or on it.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘People want answers': Attorney for family in Clearwater ferry crash voices concern
CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — An attorney representing several victims in the deadly Clearwater ferry crash is weighing in on the case. A recreational boat, driven by Jeff Knight, slammed into the back of the Clearwater Ferry near the Memorial Causeway Bridge on April 27, killing José Castro and injuring 10 others. No charges have been filed in connection with the ferry crash. Jeff Knight, the owner of Jannus Live, stepped down from the management team. 'From the sworn witness statements already in your possession, as well as from the video evidence, there is consistent and credible evidence that no stern light was visible at the time of the incident,' attorney J. Kevin Hayslett wrote in the letter to investigators. Meanwhile, an attorney representing six survivors is sharing a different perspective in the case. 'It's not just who did or didn't have lights on,' said attorney Stephen Barnes. 'My understanding is that Mr. Knight's vessel was overtaking the ferry, and there's a very specific rule of the road that says if you're overtaking another vessel, you have to give right of away. He had responsibilities irrespective of whose lights were or weren't on.' Last week, passengers onboard the private boat that slammed into the ferry wrote sworn letters to investigators detailing what they experienced that night. Three women described what led up to the crash and its aftermath in their written statements. The women reported having alcoholic drinks at dinner before getting on the boat, but said Jeff did not have any. They insisted no one used drugs before or after dinner. One woman described the area as being 'really dark' and the crash as 'out of nowhere.' However, Barnes says there are additional factors to consider. 'There's responsibilities and rules to keep an adequate lookout,' said Barnes. 'If you are a captain navigating, and especially at night, you may need assistance on that boat to see what's ahead of you or around you, so that you can take proper action to avoid things like this.'The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking anyone with video footage from the area of the fatal ferry crash to contact the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Seminole boater shares his encounter with Clearwater Ferry days before fatal crash
Video above from previous story: Passengers on Jeff Knight's boat describe fatal ferry crash: 'Where the f*** were their lights?' CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA)— A sworn statement was released from a Seminole boater that details his encounter with the Clearwater Ferry days before the fatal crash. A recreational boat, driven by Jeff Knight, slammed into the back of the Clearwater Ferry near the Memorial Causeway Bridge on April 27, killing José Castro and injuring 10 others. Boater, Ryan Smith, also known as 'Tug,' said he has two boats and fishes 4 to 5 days a week. In the sworn statement, Smith stated that 10 days earlier, on a Thursday or Friday, he had finished fishing by the Clearwater Marine Hospital. Smith said in the statement, shortly after dark, he approached the ferry but he thought the ferry was a building in the distance because there were no stern lights. 'Damn, someone is going to run up the a** end of this boat and get killed!' Smith said in the sworn statement. Smith slowed down and passed the ferry on the port side and continued to the Seminole boat ramp. The statement said until this incident, he had never heard of Jeff Knight. Passengers onboard the boat that struck the Clearwater Ferry also wrote sworn letters detailing their experience that night. No charges have been filed in connection to the ferry crash. Jeff Knight, the owner of Jannus Live, stepped down from the management team. 'From the sworn witness statements already in your possession, as well as from the video evidence, there is consistent and credible evidence that no stern light was visible at the time of the incident,' attorney J. Kevin Hayslett wrote in the letter to investigators. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking anyone with video footage from the area of the fatal ferry crash to contact the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Clearwater Ferry crash: Firefighters describe rescue efforts after deadly boating incident
The Brief Clearwater firefighters who responded to help Clearwater Ferry crash victims Sunday evening described the rescue efforts in the direct aftermath. More than 40 people were on the ferry when the crash happened, with 10 reported injuries and a 41-year-old father of two, Jose Castro, killed. The operator of the recreational boat, Jannus Live owner Jeffry Knight, stepped down from his role with the venue after the crash. CLEARWATER, Fla. - Clearwater firefighters said they were eating dinner at their fire station when they got a call about a crash between a 37-foot recreational boat and the Clearwater Ferry Sunday evening near the Memorial Causeway Bridge. What they're saying "Multiple calls received, multiple patients, multiple injured, and [we] quickly realize this is going to be something significant," said Lt. Jason Haynor, with Clearwater Fire and Rescue. RELATED: Jannus Live owner steps down after Clearwater Ferry crash leaves 1 dead, 10 injured When Haynor and his crew arrived at the scene, they realized how serious the accident was. Because of the low tide, first responders were able to wade through waste-deep water from the shore to the ferry. "In 20 years, I've had no call like this," Haynor said. "You have people screaming. You have injured. You have parents screaming for their kids, trying to get off the vessel." Follow FOX 13 on YouTube "Obviously, chaos would be like the easiest word to describe it," added Nathan Vasquez, a Clearwater fire medic who was among the first to board the ferry. "If there was any major bleeding that I could stop, I would stop it, triage them and move on to the next patient." The backstory More than 40 people were on the ferry when the crash happened, with 10 reported injuries and a 41-year-old father of two, Jose Castro, killed. PREVIOUS: Clearwater Ferry crash: Jannus Live owner's attorney addresses 'misinformation' as investigation unfolds The first responders said they just wanted to work as quickly as they could to save lives. "When you get a response like this with multiple patients and significant patients, there's so many people that are part of the success of the operation, from command to boots on the ground triaging to the medics doing transport and treatment. I mean it really is a full team effort," Haynor said. "From top to bottom, it really does require everybody being properly trained, equipped, ready to respond. This stuff doesn't go well by accident." READ: Family of Clearwater Ferry crash victim mourns loss as investigation continues: 'We need justice' Dig deeper There were six other people on the recreational vessel. In a letter from his attorney to investigators, the boat's operator, Jeffry Knight, denied speculation he left the scene. His attorney claims his client stayed to help the victims and only left after emergency crews arrived, and his boat was taking on too much water. Knight owned Jannus Live, but an announcement Wednesday said he was stepping down from his position with the concert venue in St. Petersburg. The business, however, will continue operating with its existing management. 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
Axios
30-04-2025
- Axios
Boater in Clearwater ferry crash steps down from Jannus Live
The local business owner who is under investigation for his role in a fatal Clearwater ferry crash"is stepping down" from his position at Jannus Live, the downtown St. Petersburg concert venue announced Wednesday. State of play: Jeff Knight "will no longer have any affiliation with the venue," read a statement posted on Instagram, signed "The Jannus Live family." The statement attributes the decision to Sunday's crash, which killed ferry passenger Jose Castro, a 41-year-old father of two girls, and injured 10 others. The intrigue: The statement didn't specify whether Knight has sold his ownership stake in the company or plans to do so. A statement provided to Axios by Travis Horn, president and CEO of public relations firm Bull Horn Communications, said Knight "no longer has any title or position" at Jannus Live, but it didn't address ownership. Knight became a minority owner in the venue in 2009, per a Tampa Bay Times story. Catch up quick: Knight was driving a 37-foot recreational boat Sunday night when it plowed into the back of a Clearwater ferry with 45 people on board just south of the Memorial Causeway, authorities said. Knight, who court records show has a history of DUI and boating-related legal trouble, had no alcohol in his system and has been cooperative with authorities, per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which is investigating the crash along with the U.S. Coast Guard. Although authorities haven't arrested anyone, Castro's family this week called for justice, the Times reported. "I want this guy to pay for what he did," Castro's sister told the newspaper. The latest: Kevin Hayslett, Knight's lawyer, sent a letter to investigators Tuesday saying the ferry wasn't adequately lighted at the time of the crash, the Times reported. The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, which runs the ferry system, declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation. Hayslett also disputed initial reports from police that the crash was a hit-and-run. Knight had someone on his boat call 911 and stayed at the scene, offering help, until emergency responders got there, his lawyer said. He did eventually leave because his boat was taking on water, Hayslett wrote, per the Times. Law enforcement helped tow him to the Belleair Causeway boat ramp. A city camera that captured the crash shows Knight's boat remaining at the crash scene for about 10 minutes before driving off. Yes, but: The manager of a pirate cruise crew that was nearby on the water that night, and which helped some of the passengers in the aftermath, said he was skeptical of Hayslett's claim about the lighting.
