Coast Guard searching for missing boat w/NFL players aboard (1 Viewer)

[moleculo]

Has Joe been in this thread at all? I know he deals with mainly ski boats, but even still I would like his opinion. I think all boats should be painted international red on the bottom vice white to help in the spotting of over turned boats. When you are looking down at the water and there are white caps everywhere it makes it hard to spot a white hulled boat. Sad day, I'm glad the Coasties all made it back safe. God speed to all involved.

I'd always assumed white would be pretty visible (as opposed to other colored hulls - dark blue or green that they're making now), but I'll defer to the Coastie on this one.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Has Burning Sensation ever seen the ocean?

Nothing was worse than Maurile talking about how he could overturn a boat; while four football players floated in the ocean because they couldn't do so.

I still don't think that was Maurile, couldn't have been...someone jumped on his computer at lunch.Some classic stuff in here...RIP

Well, I thought they were on a sailboat. I don't see how there's "nothing worse" than that, but OK.

 

[Buckeyedawgs]

I got a qq, if they did have life jackets on where would they drift to? Eventually they would/will float to a shore somewhere? Maybe some of you gulf experts would know?

Sad Sad story.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Please everyone turn it way down. This thread isn't a place for jokes or zingers. Very sad story and it has nothing to with them being football players. Young men died. As far as painting hull bottoms or such, I really don't know if there's been much push for that to be a standard. Most of our boats are in freshwater where conditions like these men were in dont come up. Very sad.

J

 

[the branded hand]

Please everyone turn it way down. This thread isn't a place for jokes or zingers. Very sad story and it has nothing to with them being football players. Young men died. As far as painting hull bottoms or such, I really don't know if there's been much push for that to be a standard. Most of our boats are in freshwater where conditions like these men were in dont come up. Very sad.

J

This thread does need a moment of silence...

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.

The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.



The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

Very sobering thought here.

 

[Wingnut]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.

The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

How is this even possible??? If it was "hovering over them", and the light "shined down on the four", how on gods green earth were they not seen and rescued??? This makes ZERO sense.

 

[mr. furley]

Sorry if already discussed in thread: Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday. Source: Associated Press

wow. that's just horrible.

 

[identikit]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.

The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

How is this even possible??? If it was "hovering over them", and the light "shined down on the four", how on gods green earth were they not seen and rescued??? This makes ZERO sense.

My guess would be the weather conditions made visibility difficult.The rough seas had to make it hard to see even a 21' boat I would imagine.

How close does a helicopter dare get with said waves?

 

[flapgreen]

 

[mr. furley]

5:14 p.m.: The only man rescued so far from an overturned boat in the Gulf of Mexico told Coast Guard investigators a bizarre story about the fate of the other three.

Nick Schuyler, 24, told investigators that about two to four hours after their boat capsized Saturday in rough seas, one of the two professional football players gave up hope and let himself be swept away, according to family members of two of the missing men.

A few hours later, the second one did the same.

"We were told that Nick said the two NFL players took their life jackets off and drifted out to sea," said Bob Bleakley, whose son Will, 25, is also still missing.

With former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith gone, only Schuyler and Bleakley remained clinging to the boat.

Then, sometime Monday morning, Will Bleakley thought he saw a light in the distance and decided to take off his life jacket and swim to it, hoping to get help.

"I think he was delusional to think he could swim someplace," Bleakley said.

Ray Sanchez, Cooper's cousin, said the Coast Guard told him the same thing, but cautioned against taking Schuyler's story as gospel at this point.

"We're not 100 percent sure where his head was at," Sanchez said. "He'd been through a lot."

---Craig Pittman and Brant James, Times staff writers

wow... very sad if true.i'd be surprised if this is how it actually went down. especially considering the fact that at least one of them had children. i can only imagine how that experience would affect me, but i would definitely want to fight as long as i could so i could see my kids again.

:sad:

watch "I Shouldn't Be Alive" (on Discovery) some time.people tell their stories of surviving extreme situations. one was a boat that over turned in the middle of the ocean link

*nip*

nothing i hear about two of them giving up would surprise me. that's just a horrible horrible position to be in. who knows what happens to the brain under those conditions.

RIP

 

[KCC]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.

The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

How is this even possible??? If it was "hovering over them", and the light "shined down on the four", how on gods green earth were they not seen and rescued??? This makes ZERO sense.

Tragicly, this happens more than people would think in searches for lost people (both on land and in the water). When a helicopter is positioned directly overhead, it is next to impossible impossible for the pilot and crew to see what is underneath them. The best line of site is actually off to the side of the helicopter.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.

The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

How is this even possible??? If it was "hovering over them", and the light "shined down on the four", how on gods green earth were they not seen and rescued??? This makes ZERO sense.

It's really difficult to spot things out in the middle of the ocean.

 

[identikit]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.

The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

How is this even possible??? If it was "hovering over them", and the light "shined down on the four", how on gods green earth were they not seen and rescued??? This makes ZERO sense.

Tragicly, this happens more than people would think in searches for lost people (both on land and in the water). When a helicopter is positioned directly overhead, it is next to impossible impossible for the pilot and crew to see what is underneath them. The best line of site is actually off to the side of the helicopter.

Thanks for this information.With the height of the waves, seeing things from the side of the helicopter had to be very difficult.

 

[Homer @ RJ]

March 3, 2009 Dear Delaney, Perhaps you are too young to understand the sadness that surrounds you. Certainly, at the age of 3, you are too young to read a letter from a stranger with good intentions. When you are older, however, there will come a time when you will attempt to make sense of the most difficult day of your young life. An unimaginable pain will tug at you, and you will find yourself gazing across the water and wondering about the man it took away from you. Someday, Delaney, you will search for clues to tell you about the father it seems you lost too soon. Someday, Delaney, you will want to know everything you can find out about the man who was Marquis Cooper. As a community, Tampa Bay is struggling to maintain its hope while bracing for itself for bad news. We share your pain, Delaney. Those of your father still take care to speak in present-tense. He was a good man. Even those who think a bad ending is inevitable say that. Coop, they called him. Quis, sometimes. He was quiet, and he could be hard to get to know, but he was a solid man and a good teammate. You could count on Coop. For that matter, Delaney, you could count on Corey Smith, your father's friend and old teammate with the Tampa Bay Bucs. Maybe that's what drew them together, Delaney. They were not stars, and they were not celebrities. But the people they played with liked them and respected them. There are worse ways to be remembered. "We grade people on character every day,'' said Bucs general manager Mark Dominik, "And both of these guys were A's.'' On a day like this, Delaney, it is easy to realize that the size of celebrity is not the measure of tragedy. Sometimes, adults forget that. But when your father and Smith (along with Will Bleakley and Nick Schuyler) disappeared on a fishing trip, it touched us all. It made them a part of us in a way that football never did. "They weren't the main players,'' said linebacker Ryan Nece, who played with them in Tampa Bay. "They weren't the guys you see on the billboard. But guys like them are essential to a team. They do everything you ask. A handful of guys get the headlines, but this league is made up of players like Marquis and Corey.'' As a football player, Cooper faced a constant fight to keep enough weight on his frame. He could run — which is why the Bucs drafted him in the third round in 2004 — but the bulk of his career was spent on special teams as he bounced from the Bucs to the Vikings to the Steelers to the Seahawks to the Raiders. Smith's fight was against the odds. He was an undrafted free agent, but he had a knack for rushing the passer, and former Bucs defensive line coach Rod Marinelli fell in love with his worth ethic. He took Smith from Tampa to Detroit with him. "You remember what kind of team we had in 2002?'' Bucs linebackers coach Joe Barry said. "Corey Smith was probably our 14th defensive lineman going into camp, and he made that team. We had a couple of Hall of Famers, in my mind. That's the kind of guy he was. Every year, you would think, 'I don't see how Corey's going to make it this year,' and every year, he would make your team.'' Over the years, Nece said he saw a change in Cooper from a fun-loving guy to a family man. That's where you came in, Delaney. Nece can tell you stories. He and your father used to play pranks on each other. Once, Nece drove all the way home, weary from practice, and found that he could not get in his house. Your father had taken his key off of his key ring. A few days later, your father came out to his car, and it was gone. Before practice, Nece had taken his keys, run to the parking lot and moved it to a nearby garage. Yeah, Coop was quiet. But Coop enjoyed himself, too. When he really wanted to have fun, as you have probably heard, Cooper wanted to be on the water. He had grown up in Arizona, one of those kids who collects insects and loved to fish. He went to the University of Washington largely because of the water, and he loved Tampa for the same reason. Who knows what you will think of the water? But understand this: It gave your father joy, and it gave him peace. Nece used to tease him that he liked fishing better than football. Back when he played here, Coop would be in the training room of the Bucs, and teammate Dave Moore would stop by. Soon enough, the two of them were talking about the water the way golfers talk about courses. "It's the curiosity of the unknown,'' Moore says. "You never know what you're going to see, and you're never sure what you're going to catch. It's the thrill of the chase. "People don't realize how dangerous it can be. It can be as calm as a pond, and an hour later, you can have 15-foot waves.'' Grief travels in waves, too, Delaney. You will find that you miss your father at the oddest of times. On your birthday. When your friends are talking about a father and daughter dance. When you suddenly feel empty. What should you remember? Remember that people trusted him. Remember that people liked him. Remember that Nece referred to him as a man with a great spirit. "You don't want this to happen to anybody,'' Barry said. "But this league needs people like Corey and Coop. They're the good people.'' That's what you need to know, Delaney. It won't always ease the pain, and it certainly will not replace the man. He was admired. He was liked. And he loved his family. When you look upon the water, perhaps that is what you should try to see.

 

[QuizGuy66]

 

[Wingnut]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.

The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

How is this even possible??? If it was "hovering over them", and the light "shined down on the four", how on gods green earth were they not seen and rescued??? This makes ZERO sense.

Tragicly, this happens more than people would think in searches for lost people (both on land and in the water). When a helicopter is positioned directly overhead, it is next to impossible impossible for the pilot and crew to see what is underneath them. The best line of site is actually off to the side of the helicopter.

I suppose, but it just irks me that a rescue was that close and within reach and it never happened.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.

The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

How is this even possible??? If it was "hovering over them", and the light "shined down on the four", how on gods green earth were they not seen and rescued??? This makes ZERO sense.

Tragicly, this happens more than people would think in searches for lost people (both on land and in the water). When a helicopter is positioned directly overhead, it is next to impossible impossible for the pilot and crew to see what is underneath them. The best line of site is actually off to the side of the helicopter.

I suppose, but it just irks me that a rescue was that close and within reach and it never happened.

Wingnut, you still act like there may have been some sort of mistake/negligence involved. No offense buddy, but you have no idea. Have you ever been in a Coast Guard Chopper, on a search, in high seas? Do you have intimate knowledge of all it entails? Unless you are keenly aware of the process, and exactly what occurred in this situation (impossible at this point), then you really are in no position to pass judgement. Rest assured, they know exactly what they're doing (looking for), and you can bet it is way tougher than you can imagine.

The point is, you really

 

[Tom Servo]

Tank Johnson and a cousin of one of the players were on Fox & Friends this AM looking for "experienced airmen" to fly over the area to continue the search. IIRC, the e-mail address is NFLsearchandrescue@gmail.com.

regardless.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

I understand why family members want to keep searching, but I'm sure the Coast Guard has specific guidelines for search and rescue, and part of those guidelines involve the time spent on the rescue vs how long they've been in the water. I'm sure that hypothermia has killed them by now, so why risk more lives? I also understand that emotion will override common sense right now.

 

[SofaKings]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.

The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

How is this even possible??? If it was "hovering over them", and the light "shined down on the four", how on gods green earth were they not seen and rescued??? This makes ZERO sense.

Tragicly, this happens more than people would think in searches for lost people (both on land and in the water). When a helicopter is positioned directly overhead, it is next to impossible impossible for the pilot and crew to see what is underneath them. The best line of site is actually off to the side of the helicopter.

I suppose, but it just irks me that a rescue was that close and within reach and it never happened.

Wingnut, you still act like there may have been some sort of mistake/negligence involved. No offense buddy, but you have no idea. Have you ever been in a Coast Guard Chopper, on a search, in high seas? Do you have intimate knowledge of all it entails? Unless you are keenly aware of the process, and exactly what occurred in this situation (impossible at this point), then you really are in no position to pass judgement. Rest assured, they know exactly what they're doing (looking for), and you can bet it is way tougher than you can imagine.

The point is, you really

It is very hard to pick up something white on the water in daylight when you have 14' breaking waves/whitecaps all over. Trying it at night in a helicopter with gusty winds is pretty darn tough.

 

[mex]

Their best shot at being found was by boat due to the number of eyes looking out, remember in a helicopter you only have 3-4 rescuers looking for you in rough seas and they have 0 idea where you might be.

Their best shot would have been to try and stay attached to each other. Reading the survivors account is sickening and sad. The reason the CG says that you can't believe it all is because he was probably delusional when they found him

 

[QUEZILLA]

It brings chills knowing that it was so bad they chose to take off their vest and die from drowning.

 

[Da Guru]

Their best shot at being found was by boat due to the number of eyes looking out, remember in a helicopter you only have 3-4 rescuers looking for you in rough seas and they have 0 idea where you might be. Their best shot would have been to try and stay attached to each other. Reading the survivors account is sickening and sad. The reason the CG says that you can't believe it all is because he was probably delusional when they found him

My feeling is that these guys had been up since at least 5:30 am, been fishing for over 12 hours, that in itself is very tiring just being out on the water, then to have to boat flip while you are already in a exhausted state. That is not even counting if they had been drinking beer. A few hours of trying to hang on in rough seas may have been nearly impossible not matter what kind of shape you are in.

 

[Coogar]

I routinely fish the ocean off of Washington State. I read that they had set anchor and started fishing. How do you set anchor 50 miles offshore in a 21' boat?

 

[Da Guru]

I routinely fish the ocean off of Washington State. I read that they had set anchor and started fishing. How do you set anchor 50 miles offshore in a 21' boat?

I think this whole situation can be blamed on inexperienced boaters. It happens all the time. Most people do not realize it is a totally different animal 50 miles offshore than being 1 mile offshore.Boater in the area said things were getting bad and they headed in. Justr from being on the Lake Michigan in bad weather I think you need a 30-35 ft boat, a 21 ft boat takes a good pounding in 3ft swells. I can`t imagine 7-8 foot swells.

 

[Norseman]

I routinely fish the ocean off of Washington State. I read that they had set anchor and started fishing. How do you set anchor 50 miles offshore in a 21' boat?

The Gulf of Mexico isn't nearly as deep as the Pacific Ocean. From the Tampa Bay area, it is less than 50 ft deep for a long way out.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

I routinely fish the ocean off of Washington State. I read that they had set anchor and started fishing. How do you set anchor 50 miles offshore in a 21' boat?

Actually, you can clearly see, in some of the rescue pictures, changes in water color around the boat, which is obviously a change in the depth of the water -- the lighter green being shallower water.I realize there is probably quite a difference from where the boat capsized, and where they found him, but still...point being that even at around 30 miles out or so, there were shallow(er) waters still around.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Not to put a damper on things but trying to be realistic, if you want to find out about the chances of survival in a sea/ocean environment after four days, read the story of the USS Indianapolis...of the 880 that floated in the ocean for four days, around 300 made it out alive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Indianapolis_(CA-35)

I've read many similar naval battle stories, most with the same results

Thoughts and Prayers with the family....

 

[fatness]

I think this whole situation can be blamed on inexperienced boaters.

Articles I read yesterday and earlier seemed to indicate an experienced boater. It could have been just a wrong assessment of weather conditions and the boat's ability to endure them.

 

[Two Deep]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.

The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

How is this even possible??? If it was "hovering over them", and the light "shined down on the four", how on gods green earth were they not seen and rescued??? This makes ZERO sense.

Tragicly, this happens more than people would think in searches for lost people (both on land and in the water). When a helicopter is positioned directly overhead, it is next to impossible impossible for the pilot and crew to see what is underneath them. The best line of site is actually off to the side of the helicopter.

I suppose, but it just irks me that a rescue was that close and within reach and it never happened.

Wingnut, you still act like there may have been some sort of mistake/negligence involved. No offense buddy, but you have no idea. Have you ever been in a Coast Guard Chopper, on a search, in high seas? Do you have intimate knowledge of all it entails? Unless you are keenly aware of the process, and exactly what occurred in this situation (impossible at this point), then you really are in no position to pass judgement. Rest assured, they know exactly what they're doing (looking for), and you can bet it is way tougher than you can imagine.

The point is, you really

It is very hard to pick up something white on the water in daylight when you have 14' breaking waves/whitecaps all over. Trying it at night in a helicopter with gusty winds is pretty darn tough.

thank you for the obvious, Jacques Cousteau

 

[Da Guru]

I think this whole situation can be blamed on inexperienced boaters.

Articles I read yesterday and earlier seemed to indicate an experienced boater. It could have been just a wrong assessment of weather conditions and the boat's ability to endure them.

You are correct, but assessing the weather is part of the plan. I will admit though when I was 25 I would not think twice about heading out deep sea fishing if it was clear when I left in the morning.

 

[mex]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.

The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

How is this even possible??? If it was "hovering over them", and the light "shined down on the four", how on gods green earth were they not seen and rescued??? This makes ZERO sense.

Tragicly, this happens more than people would think in searches for lost people (both on land and in the water). When a helicopter is positioned directly overhead, it is next to impossible impossible for the pilot and crew to see what is underneath them. The best line of site is actually off to the side of the helicopter.

I suppose, but it just irks me that a rescue was that close and within reach and it never happened.

Wingnut, you still act like there may have been some sort of mistake/negligence involved. No offense buddy, but you have no idea. Have you ever been in a Coast Guard Chopper, on a search, in high seas? Do you have intimate knowledge of all it entails? Unless you are keenly aware of the process, and exactly what occurred in this situation (impossible at this point), then you really are in no position to pass judgement. Rest assured, they know exactly what they're doing (looking for), and you can bet it is way tougher than you can imagine.

The point is, you really

It is very hard to pick up something white on the water in daylight when you have 14' breaking waves/whitecaps all over. Trying it at night in a helicopter with gusty winds is pretty darn tough.

thank you for the obvious, Jacques Cousteau

turn the tool factor wayyyy down

 

[QUEZILLA]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.

The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

How is this even possible??? If it was "hovering over them", and the light "shined down on the four", how on gods green earth were they not seen and rescued??? This makes ZERO sense.

Tragicly, this happens more than people would think in searches for lost people (both on land and in the water). When a helicopter is positioned directly overhead, it is next to impossible impossible for the pilot and crew to see what is underneath them. The best line of site is actually off to the side of the helicopter.

I suppose, but it just irks me that a rescue was that close and within reach and it never happened.

Wingnut, you still act like there may have been some sort of mistake/negligence involved. No offense buddy, but you have no idea. Have you ever been in a Coast Guard Chopper, on a search, in high seas? Do you have intimate knowledge of all it entails? Unless you are keenly aware of the process, and exactly what occurred in this situation (impossible at this point), then you really are in no position to pass judgement. Rest assured, they know exactly what they're doing (looking for), and you can bet it is way tougher than you can imagine.

The point is, you really

It is very hard to pick up something white on the water in daylight when you have 14' breaking waves/whitecaps all over. Trying it at night in a helicopter with gusty winds is pretty darn tough.

thank you for the obvious, Jacques Cousteau

I don't think Jocques Cousteau was trained to spot boats, but I at the reference.

 

[Dexter Manley]

Doctor says that Schuyler would of only survived 10 - 12 hours more max due to hypothermia:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/foot...s.ap/index.html

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) --A doctor on Wednesday said it's a "miracle" that a man survived being in the cold Gulf water for nearly two days after the boat carrying him, two NFL players and another man capsized off the Florida coast.

Dr. Mark Rumbak said 24-year-old Nick Schuyler is in good condition but will remain in intensive care in case there are complications. Schuyler was in 63-degree Gulf of Mexico water for around 46 hours and probably could have lived only another five to 10 hours if he wasn't rescued Monday, Rumbak said.

"To stay in the water for 46 hours and to be alive afterwards, I think it is a miracle," Rumbak said. "I really do."

The Coast Guard's search for the three others who had gone out on the fishing trip ended Tuesday. Still missing are Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper, who owned the boat, free-agent NFL defensive lineman Corey Smith and former South Florida player William Bleakley.

Bleakley's mother said Schuyler gave her a harrowing account of the men's fight to survive after the boat capsized Saturday evening. Betty Bleakley said Schuyler told her the men swam back to the overturned boat after being repeatedly hurled by strong waves.

"To listen to Nick, they fought real hard to come home," Betty Bleakley said. "Nick said that all of them fought, just fought to stay alive."

Bleakley and Schuyler, college teammates, managed to stick together for about 24 hours. She says they talked about how they would live their lives differently.

Cooper's family is still hoping to find him alive.

"We're not quitters," said his grandfather, Joseph Davis. "Even though they may stop the search, the search is going to go on."

They set up an e-mail address -- nflsearchandrescuegmail -- and are asking experienced pilots and boaters who can help to contact them.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

5:14 p.m.: The only man rescued so far from an overturned boat in the Gulf of Mexico told Coast Guard investigators a bizarre story about the fate of the other three.

Nick Schuyler, 24, told investigators that about two to four hours after their boat capsized Saturday in rough seas, one of the two professional football players gave up hope and let himself be swept away, according to family members of two of the missing men.

A few hours later, the second one did the same.

"We were told that Nick said the two NFL players took their life jackets off and drifted out to sea," said Bob Bleakley, whose son Will, 25, is also still missing.

With former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith gone, only Schuyler and Bleakley remained clinging to the boat.

Then, sometime Monday morning, Will Bleakley thought he saw a light in the distance and decided to take off his life jacket and swim to it, hoping to get help.

"I think he was delusional to think he could swim someplace," Bleakley said.

Ray Sanchez, Cooper's cousin, said the Coast Guard told him the same thing, but cautioned against taking Schuyler's story as gospel at this point.

"We're not 100 percent sure where his head was at," Sanchez said. "He'd been through a lot."

---Craig Pittman and Brant James, Times staff writers

That's the punch your friend in the face and snap out of it moment.VERY suprised to hear how quickly the first 2 threw in the towel (I'm sure there's a Lions/millen joke in there somewhere but it's a lil soon) and for all intents and purposes killed themselves.

Must've been a fear of sharks motivated thing. Drowning is supposed to be one of the worst ways to go.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Yes speculating about some sort of wacky murder scenario is definitely the smart and tactful thing to do at this point.

Murder?!?!?WTF.

wouldn't be the fisrt time this was alleged.crazy case from court tv forensics files type show on this.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Yes speculating about some sort of wacky murder scenario is definitely the smart and tactful thing to do at this point.

Murder?!?!?WTF.

eerily reminiscent."fishing for the truth" episode of forensic filesA community mourned the loss of a shrimp boat captain when his boat went down during a storm. However, jaws dropped when his well known crew member was arrested and charged with the captain’s murder. A pathologist would be the only one to get to the truth of what happened the night the boat went down.(prosecution theory was they battled for the one life vest on board)

 

[Toxic Gatorade]

I've seen/read contradicting stories on what really happened. I'd love to see an interview right now, days after the sole survivor has had time to get his head together.

I can't honestly see giving up after only 2-4 hours after capsizing........now while it might be true, then why was there a live interview with this survivor saying the boat flipped mid-afternoon, yet the 1st football player decided after hours of darkness that it was time to give up? That's contradicting his own statement. Maybe he's guessing on a timeframe? Quite possible.

I fully understand giving up the fight, especially if the Gulf waters were as violent as they are made out to be. I live down in Houston and I've seen Galveston when a cold front starts to move thru our area. That ocean gets to barking out there.......so I can only imagine 50 miles out. Plus, we had some windy conditions down here this past week/weekend. 20-30mph winds. Out in the middle of nowhere? Ugh.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Sorry if already discussed in thread: Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday. Source: Associated Press

Then how can you "float off" a few hours later. You jave to assume they might find you in the light of day. and isn't that when you use the flares? anyway? I'd at least attempt to swim under and get them before I "let go"sad all around.

 

[fissure man]

What I find shocking, besides the apparent deaths and stories of giving up, is that 63 degree water can be so harmful. I obviously don't know jack #### about this, as Ive had very little boating experience.

63 degrees is cold, but I had previously thought it would have to be much colder to be so daunting.

 

[Wingnut]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.

The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

How is this even possible??? If it was "hovering over them", and the light "shined down on the four", how on gods green earth were they not seen and rescued??? This makes ZERO sense.

Tragicly, this happens more than people would think in searches for lost people (both on land and in the water). When a helicopter is positioned directly overhead, it is next to impossible impossible for the pilot and crew to see what is underneath them. The best line of site is actually off to the side of the helicopter.

I suppose, but it just irks me that a rescue was that close and within reach and it never happened.

Wingnut, you still act like there may have been some sort of mistake/negligence involved. No offense buddy, but you have no idea. Have you ever been in a Coast Guard Chopper, on a search, in high seas? Do you have intimate knowledge of all it entails? Unless you are keenly aware of the process, and exactly what occurred in this situation (impossible at this point), then you really are in no position to pass judgement. Rest assured, they know exactly what they're doing (looking for), and you can bet it is way tougher than you can imagine.

The point is, you really

RESPONSE EDITED BEFORE POSTED

 

[Wingnut]

What I find shocking, besides the apparent deaths and stories of giving up, is that 63 degree water can be so harmful. I obviously don't know jack #### about this, as Ive had very little boating experience. 63 degrees is cold, but I had previously thought it would have to be much colder to be so daunting.

You gotta remember though, that 65 degrees is more than 30 degrees colder than the human body. Think about a fever...it only takes a degree or two above normal to make you feel sick or bad. Being in water 30 degrees colder than normal body temperature for that many hours, and the body temp will drop DRAMATICALLY, way more than a few degrees. I cant imagine what happens to the brain in that situation and how it affects rational thought.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

What I find shocking, besides the apparent deaths and stories of giving up, is that 63 degree water can be so harmful. I obviously don't know jack #### about this, as Ive had very little boating experience. 63 degrees is cold, but I had previously thought it would have to be much colder to be so daunting.

The United States Coast Guard promotes using life vests as a method of prevention against hypothermia through the 50/50/50 rule: if someone is in 50-degree water for 50 minutes they have a 50 percent better chance of survival if they are wearing a life jacket.Normal body temperature in humans is 37°C. Hypothermia can be divided in three stages of severity.In stage 1, body temperature drops by 1-2°C below normal temperature (35-38°C). Mild to strong shiveringShiveringoccurs. The victim is unable to perform complex tasks with the hands; the hands become numb. Blood vessels in the outer extremities constrict, lessening heat loss to the outside air. Breathing becomes quick and shallow. Goose form, raising body hair on end in an attempt to create an layer of air around the body (which is of limited use in humans due to lack of sufficient hair, but useful in other species). Often, a person will experience a warm sensation, as if they have recovered, but they are in fact heading into Stage 2. Another test to see if the person is entering stage 2 is if they are unable to touch their thumb with their little finger; this is the first stage of muscles not working.In stage 2, body temperature drops by 2-4°C. Shivering becomes more violent. Muscle mis-coordination becomes apparent. Movements are slow and labored, accompanied by a stumbling pace and mild confusion, although the victim may appear alert. Surface blood vessels contract further as the body focuses its remaining resources on keeping the vital organs warm. The victim becomes pale. Lips, ears, fingers and toes may become blue.In stage 3, body temperature drops below approximately . Shivering usually stops. Difficulty speaking, sluggish thinking, and amnesia starts to appear; inability to use hands and stumbling is also usually present. Cellular metabolic processes shut down. Below , the exposed skin becomes blue and puffy, muscle coordination becomes very poor, walking becomes almost impossible, and the victim exhibits incoherent/irrational behavior including terminal or even a and rates decrease significantly but fast heart rates (ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation) can occur. Major organs fail. Clinical death occurs. Because of decreased cellular activity in stage 3 hypothermia, the body will actually take longer to undergo brain death.

 

[fissure man]

What I find shocking, besides the apparent deaths and stories of giving up, is that 63 degree water can be so harmful. I obviously don't know jack #### about this, as Ive had very little boating experience. 63 degrees is cold, but I had previously thought it would have to be much colder to be so daunting.

You gotta remember though, that 65 degrees is more than 30 degrees colder than the human body. Think about a fever...it only takes a degree or two above normal to make you feel sick or bad. Being in water 30 degrees colder than normal body temperature for that many hours, and the body temp will drop DRAMATICALLY, way more than a few degrees. I cant imagine what happens to the brain in that situation and how it affects rational thought.

Makes perfect sense.

 

[Desert_Power]

Some details about this situation are really starting to bother me. They had the boat anchored as stuff was starting to pick up out there and didn't have on their life jackets? On top of being out that far with such a small boat, knowing the incoming weather? There seems to be a lot of bad decisions happening.

 

[menobrown]

Listening to them talk about this on 1310 The Ticket in Dallas. They are talking about inaccurate oddities in the story of what happened to the other victims. They are now saying that Will Bleakley's dad is now saying Schuyler told him that Bleakley died in his arms and did not swim off. I've not read this anyplace just posting what they said they heard.

 

[SofaKings]

Sorry if already discussed in thread:

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor from a Florida fishing-trip disaster involving two NFL players before the search was called off, revealed that the four lost men at one point had a helicopter hovering over them.

The helicopter's light shined down on the four, but must not have seen them. Schuyler said the NFL players -- Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper -- were first to drift away in the rough waves. He called former USF player Will Bleakley "a hero" for swimming under the capsized boat they were hanging onto to retrieve life vests. Bleakley eventually was separated too. The search for Cooper, Smith, and Bleakley was called off at sunset Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press

How is this even possible??? If it was "hovering over them", and the light "shined down on the four", how on gods green earth were they not seen and rescued??? This makes ZERO sense.

Tragicly, this happens more than people would think in searches for lost people (both on land and in the water). When a helicopter is positioned directly overhead, it is next to impossible impossible for the pilot and crew to see what is underneath them. The best line of site is actually off to the side of the helicopter.

I suppose, but it just irks me that a rescue was that close and within reach and it never happened.

Wingnut, you still act like there may have been some sort of mistake/negligence involved. No offense buddy, but you have no idea. Have you ever been in a Coast Guard Chopper, on a search, in high seas? Do you have intimate knowledge of all it entails? Unless you are keenly aware of the process, and exactly what occurred in this situation (impossible at this point), then you really are in no position to pass judgement. Rest assured, they know exactly what they're doing (looking for), and you can bet it is way tougher than you can imagine.

The point is, you really

It is very hard to pick up something white on the water in daylight when you have 14' breaking waves/whitecaps all over. Trying it at night in a helicopter with gusty winds is pretty darn tough.

thank you for the obvious, Jacques Cousteau

I don't think Jocques Cousteau was trained to spot boats, but I at the reference.

Just another lame attempt for him to try and get on the scoreboard. Still a shutout.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Odessa, Florida -- Bruce Cooper, father of missing boater and NFL Player Marquis Cooper, is going to take his plea for search and rescue volunteers to the national stage when he interviews on CNN's Larry King Live at 9:00pm tonight.This afternoon, in front of Marquis Cooper's neighborhood, Bruce Cooper told local reporters that the family has gotten a strong response after setting up an email address at nflsearchandrescue@gmail.com, asking for volunteer pilots and captains to assist in a continued search for the missing players. Today's private air search started around nine-o-clock this morning, according to the Cooper family. It lasted nearly six hours with nothing new found.Bruce Cooper said today that he is "mentally exhausted" and sometimes stops and realizes that he "lost a son."Since Sunday, Cooper's family has remained hopeful that they will find Marquis, even after the sole survivor, Nick Schuyler, told the US Coast Guard that the football player "gave up" after holding on to the capsized boat for hours.Schuyler said the NFL player took his life jacket off and floated out to sea sometime over the weekend. Bruce Cooper said today that he "respectfully disagrees" with this, knowing Marquis that this would be highly out of character for him. "I think he [schuyler] really believes that, so I'm not going to tell you he's wrong. I'm standing here today, telling you, as sure as you're born - I raised the kid, I lived with the kid - that is not his character," said Bruce Cooper.While Bruce Cooper knows the facts about hypothermia leading to delusion, he said, "My son would defy science."Yesterday, Bruce Cooper told reporters he is not ready to accept that his son is gone.The Cooper family had also said they understand why the Coast Guard called off the search but would begin their own private search today.Bruce Cooper was adamant that he and his family members will not participate in the search, heeding the Coast Guard's warning. "We don't want any inexperienced people out there," Cooper said.For any experienced pilots or boaters who want to help in the search, the Cooper family is offering $50 per hour plus gas.Again, if you want to help, the email to contact the family is nflsearchandrescue@gmail.com.You can also help the fundraising cause for the extended search, by donating through the family's pastor Hal Mayer's website at www.halmayer.com