Book about former Beach gaming ship

Dec 23, 2009 2 min read

To the editor:

Are you familiar with the gaming ship that once sailed from Fort Myers Beach in the 1990’s, before and even for a time, along with the Big M Casino? That ship operation, the first in the area, was known as the Sea Kruz and then later the Fun Kruz. The name of the ship was the Europa Star.

I was a dealer aboard that ship for a period of more than five years as well as Atlantic City for many years. Capt. Robert Scott, my casino supervisor in Atlantic City and Minnesota and a good friend of mine, recently wrote his first book titled “Red Roses, Lady Blue” about an attempted piracy aboard that vessel with mention of local areas.

The Europa Star first sailed from the dock and property now occupied by Salty Sam’s and then later from the earlier site at Snug Harbor. Yes, I play a small part and am a subject of his imagination, his sense of adventure and of his humor.

I though that perhaps the many who, over the years, were employed by the companies I’ve mentioned or those who were involved at various times along with other locals or those who visited in the past would enjoy reading the book or at least read it.

Paul Sloan

North Fort Myers