He told the Tampa Bay Times that he then saw people wandering about confused, wet and cold. Larry Santangelo, 57, said he had just driven into his neighbourhood Sunday afternoon when he saw smoke and fire. News footage at the site showed survivors cloaked in blankets trying to warm themselves after getting to shore. Pasco County Fire Rescue official Shawn Whited said many passengers who jumped into the water made their way to shore, while some were rescued by boats. Tropical Breeze Casino Cruises didn’t immediately respond late Sunday to calls for information. They said the shuttle vessel was headed out to the casino ship at the time of the fire. The shuttle boat regularly carries people back and forth from the Tropical Breeze Casino Cruise, which is offshore because it can’t legally operate close to land, according to authorities.
