By Paul Bonnette
Shiver your timbers and set sail for non-stop family fun aboard a replica of a pirate ship that once plundered the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. For the past two decades, Captain “Fearless Phil” has been the owner and Captain of the Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise, at the helm to give all guests aboard a genuine pirate ship experience. It’s become such an iconic attraction that for many families, a visit to Panama City Beach isn’t complete without boarding the gangplank to join the pirate crew for sightseeing, water gun battles, cannon firing, and face painting. For those wanting the chance to sit back and relax, there is inside seating as well as a galley offering up pirate gear (and of course grog) plus plenty of snacks and sodas. Additional seating is available up top which offers perfect scenic viewing for spotting dolphins as they jump out of the water. Whether you are wanting to get up close to local marine life on a relaxing boat ride or your goal is to join the pirate crew to swab the deck, search for treasure, and cross swords with scallywags, the Sea Dragon truly has something for every member of the family.
It took over 11 years to build The Sea Dragon, a vessel designed to be a replica of a sailboat called The Golden Eagle and leased to popular local TV personality, Red Holland, for sightseeing cruises. According to Captain Fearless Phil, it was then that his Uncle Andy Redmond purchased it and transformed it into the Sea Dragon Pirate Ship as we know and love it today.
“My Uncle Andy Redmond who is always thinking outside the box and is just a great creative thinker… He went on a vacation with his family to the Tampa area and saw a pirate ship that took people out on Pirate Cruises,” explains Captain Fearless Phil. “He remembered the boat back here in Panama City and he ended up buying it. [He] repainted it, added to it to make it look like a pirate ship, and named it the Sea Dragon.”
After retiring and coming back to Panama City in 2003, Captain Phil decided to join his uncle aboard the famous pirate ship.
“When I got to the point where I was ready to retire, I had already come to Panama City and [seen] my uncle’s boat. I started working as a crew member and working on the deck. I got my Captain’s license renewed and started running the boat for him. I did that for a couple of years before I bought it,” he remembers.
For Fearless Phil, buying the Sea Dragon Pirate Ship has been one of the best decisions as it not only creates memorable experiences for families but also for the larger community.
“I like being from Panama City and I like it when the business becomes a part of that.”
It’s a sentiment that is echoed by Captain Fearless Phil’s Daughter, Summer Breeze. For Summer, the idea of creating memories that last a lifetime was enough to dive headfirst into the family business.
“Our whole focus is to ride a family adventure, from the babies to the grandparents, so everyone is involved and they can make a lasting memory here in Panama City. So then they can look back on their time here and smile and we want the pirate ship to be a part of that memory,” she says.
The Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise operates from March through October and reservations can be made by visiting www.piratecruise.net.
