Water taxi service to set sail in Tampa

TAMPA — Yacht Starship Dining Cruises is launching a fleet of pirate-themed water taxis in Tampa on Saturday, Feb. 27.

Founder Troy Manthey has had visions of a Tampa water taxi since he founded Yacht Starship Dining Cruises in 2001, and he knew the need would increase as the waterfront evolved, according to a statement.

“Given Tampa's record visitation, we're excited to have the opportunity to expand our fleet with the addition of Pirate Water Taxis, providing a fun tour, along with hop-on and hop-off water taxi transportation of Tampa's ever growing waterfront and Riverwalk,” Manthey says in the statement. Manthey, in the release, adds that he "envisions guests having an early dinner at Ulele and catching a water taxi to the arena for a hockey game or concert, avoiding all the traffic.”

The cruises will make more than 14 stops along the Riverwalk, Channel District and Davis Island and will have concessions, restrooms and historical narration, the statement says. The fleet consists of three ships named after Manthey's children: Captain Jack, Pirate Pat and L'atitude Lindsey.