Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith and Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper were among four boaters missing Sunday off Florida’s Gulf Coast, the Coast Guard and Smith’s agent said. Smith and Cooper were on a 21-foot vessel that left Clearwater Pass for a fishing trip Saturday morning and did not return as expected, the Coast Guard said Sunday. Crews used a helicopter and a 47-foot boat to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass on Sunday. http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-missingboaters- nfl&prov=ap&type=lgns That sucks, I hope they find them.
My prayers are with the players and their families. I hope this is much to do about nothing and they are found safe.
The seas where 13 feet... I went out in huge Grady White boat (i would guess around at least 26 foot probably 28 foot) in 8 foot waves and it was unbearable. You felt like you had to hang on for dear life. I couldn't imagine a 21 foot boat in 13 foot seas. While I wish it did, I doubt this story has a happy ending.
I live about 15 min from Clearwater so I have been hearing alot about this story. I don't think it will turn out well. I mean the chances of them finding them now are slim and you must remember that Muscle stinks while fat floats. Sooo there guys are alot more muscle so it will be harder to stay above water. Hope I am wrong
if they died, thats tragic. as the boat is going down you'd have to think to yourself, "damn, i didnt see this one coming." and the families, my goodness. such a sudden and unexpected tragedy. i wish them all well. hopefully they will be found.
COAST GUARD FINDS BOAT WITH PERSON CLINGING TO IT Posted by Mike Florio on March 2, 2009, 12:29 p.m. In the end, it might be a very good thing that the Coast Guard opted not to call off the search for the four men (and two NFL players) who went missing at sea in a 21-foot fishing boat. According to Bay News 9, the Coast Guard has found an overturned boat with a person clinging to it. Assuming that it was the same boat that was carrying Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper, Lions defensive end Corey Smith, Nick Skyler, and William Blakely, it is a sliver of good news amid a tragedy, because it means that three of the men have been lost. Stay tuned for more.
It sounds like Nick Schuyler was the only one wearing a life vest unfortunately. They never mentioned if Schuyler said they were all wearing them or not.
They have called off the search as of sundown today. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090303/ap_on_re_us/missing_boaters_nfl
At this point it looks pretty hopeless. They covered 24,000 square miles of ocean in the search, and as bad a condition that the survivor they found was in, it doesn't make finding the other guys alive look too possible after this long. My condolences to their families and friends, I hope the situation works out for the best.
Their dead guys. 2 of them after being in the cold water for hours lost the will to live took off their life vests and drifted out to sea. The 3rd guy swam for help. Very sad
Sad story indeed... Cant imagine how awful it must feel for their families, especially for the survivor... having to watch your friends drift off to see and be the only one to return home... sad, sad story.
Apparently they were all on top of the boat with their life vests on. Cooper few hours in took his off and floated away. They drank salt water too.
