Clearwater Ferry Crew Needs Your Support

In April 2025, the PSTA Clearwater Ferry was struck by a large recreational boat. Due to the efforts by the crew to call for mayday and give emergency orders to brace and protect the passengers, many lives were most likely saved and a greater catastrophe was avoided.

The captain was in critical condition and is now listed in stable condition.

What people don't realize is the maritime industry operators are not millionaires. We are professional industry leaders with a passion for safety and a love for the water. I am a licensed, local 100-ton master in the Pinellas County area, with years supporting charity work and lots of local professional connections and I promise this GoFundMe will use 100% of donations to distribute directly and evenly to the captain and crew to help in their recovery efforts. Their families may be suffering as a result, and as a local merchant mariner, I stand with them in their time of need.

I've spoken with Trisha Rodriguez from the Clearwater Ferry, and out of respect for the privacy of the captain and crew they will receive the GoFundMe disbursement from me and evenly distribute it among the captain and crew. We hope they will use the funds to support their families in any way they see fit while workers compensation, insurance payouts, possible settlements and other arrangements are sorted out.