The Tropical Breeze Casino boat reopened Thursday, January 25. It was temporarily closed after January 14, when its shuttle boat caught fire and passengers were forced to jump into freezing water to reach land. One woman later died and 15 were injured, officials said.
In addition, the shuttle boat captain, Michael Loren Batten, had a valid captain’s license but had prior convictions for drunk driving, misdemeanor drug and concealed weapons charges and failure to pay child support.
The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the fire. Following that, the boat wreckage will be removed, however, that will require permits, inspections and precautions for the removal of hazardous materials. “So it’s going to be quite an undertaking,” Port Richey Police Chief Gerard DeCanio said.
During the trip carrying 49 people to the Tropical Breeze Casino in international waters where gambling is allowed, the 72-foot wood-hulled boat caught fire. Batten turned it around and grounded it about 100 feet from land in the Harborpointe Drive neighborhood. By then, the boat was engulfed in flames, and passengers began jumping from the boat into the cold and murky waist-deep water.
DeCanio gave credit to Batten for turning the boat around and getting it as close to shore as possible. “We thought we had gotten through the night without any fatalities, but unfortunately we had one. But had that captain not brought it closer and run it aground and was out any further, I think we would have had a lot more fatalities,” the chief said.
Area residents and first responders helped the victims. At a recent Port Richey city council meeting, Mayor Dale Massad said, “We thank you all. There are a whole lot of unsung heroes out there.”
DeCanio expressed grief over the death of Carrie Dempsey, 42, a mother of two from Lutz, who was pronounced dead at Bayonet Regional Medical Center after the incident. DeCanio said he witnessed emergency responders treat her at the scene. “I saw her while the medics were doing her vitals before they transported her, and unfortunately she passed away a few hours later,” he said.
DeCanio praised his officers for their professional response, particularly Port Richey Police Detective Angel Russo and officers Zane Zebetka and Jason Zimmerman who were first on the scene. “They got there right in the inception of this incident. They dropped their gear and ran right into that water, right into that muck, and were able to assist I don’t know how many people and bring them to shore,” he said. There, residents helped cold and scared passengers come ashore, and brought coffee, blankets, towels and clothes. DeCanio said some even let survivors take showers in their homes, he said. “The Harborpointe community was amazing. They turned out in force,” he stated.
DeCanio said the city is planning a ceremony to give out awards to civilians and first responders for their actions during the incident.
Pasco County Emergency Fire and Sheriff’s Office, New Port Richey Police, police from Tarpon Springs and Dunedin, Florida Fish & Wildlife and the U.S. Coast Guard also were praised for their response.
A man who was injured when he jumped from the burning shuttle said he was told Tropical Breeze Casino will pay the medical bills of any passengers who were aboard the shuttle boat when it caught fire. Casino officials said those passengers should contact the company for instructions on submitting their medical bills.
Now instead of using the shuttle, Tropical Breeze Casino officials said the casino boat will pick up passengers and sail into international waters. A Coast Guard spokesperson said it placed no restrictions on the Tropical Breeze to reopen.
For the near future, Tropical Breeze Casino will operate on a modified schedule with one cruise 3:30-10 p.m. on Thursday; 12-7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
