1 player found clinging to capsized boat

**jaretac** · 03-02-2009, 01:52 PM

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP)—The Coast Guard says a man who went missing during a fishing trip has been found clinging to an overturned boat that belongs to Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper.

The Coast Guard says former University of South Florida player Nick Schuyler was rescued Monday off the Florida coast. Authorities say Cooper, Detroit Lions free agent Corey Smith and former South Florida player, William Bleakley, remain missing.
Coast Guard Capt. Timothy M. Close says Schuyler told rescuers that the 21-foot boat was anchored when it flipped Saturday evening in rough seas. Schuyler told rescuers the others got separated from the boat and that he had been clinging to it since.
Television footage shows Schuyler conscious but weak as he was being taken off a Coast Guard helicopter at Tampa General Hospital and placed on a stretcher.

Article

**keepngoal** · 03-02-2009, 01:57 PM

so many thoughts and questions running through my head.

I do hope they find the other missing people.

-keep

**milrtym** · 03-02-2009, 02:01 PM

Scary when your anchored boat flips over. It's amazing that one guy held onto the boat for over a day. Hope and prayers that they are able to find the others.

**Jonecy** · 03-02-2009, 02:12 PM

Very sad the others didn't survive and another reminder of why I'm freaked out by the ocean and all of the unknowns that are associated with it.

Edit: I guess it's not known if the others didn't survive at this time, but it doesn't look good.

**Cyclonepride** · 03-02-2009, 02:55 PM

I'm no sailor, but isn't anchoring the boat in rough seas a really bad idea?

**cyfan964** · 03-02-2009, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

I'm no sailor, but isn't anchoring the boat in rough seas a really bad idea?

Yes, but being 50 miles off shore in a 21 foot long boat when a storm is possible is an even worse idea.

**IcSyU** · 03-02-2009, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by cyfan964

Yes, but being 50 miles off shore in a 21 foot long boat when a storm is possible is an even worse idea.

This is where the problem starts.

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

I'm no sailor, but isn't anchoring the boat in rough seas a really bad idea?

This doesn't help problem.

**Erik4Cy** · 03-02-2009, 03:27 PM

Thank god a survivor was found, pray to god they find the others, but it looks bad when they are separated from the boat.

**jj-cyclones** · 03-02-2009, 03:52 PM

can you even anchor a 21 foot boat to the ocean floor 30 miles out?

**Cyclonepride** · 03-02-2009, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by jj-cyclones

can you even anchor a 21 foot boat to the ocean floor 30 miles out?

I'm not sure of the geography where the boat was lost, but the continental shelf goes a ways out. I was surprised when we were way out from Key West and the water was maybe 4 feet deep where we snorkeled.

**cyfan964** · 03-02-2009, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by jj-cyclones

can you even anchor a 21 foot boat to the ocean floor 30 miles out?

I'm guessing it was Gulf side in which case being 30 miles off shore the water is sill only about 35-40' deep.

**jj-cyclones** · 03-02-2009, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

I'm not sure of the geography where the boat was lost, but the continental shelf goes a ways out. I was surprised when we were way out from Key West and the water was maybe 4 feet deep where we snorkeled.

Seems crazy but I have to believe it cause I don't know anything different...

**jj-cyclones** · 03-02-2009, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by cyfan964

I'm guessing it was Gulf side in which case being 30 miles off shore the water is sill only about 35-40' deep.

got ya, thanks

**pulse** · 03-02-2009, 04:00 PM

They were in the Gulf, not out on the Atlantic. Sad, but very poor judgement on their part. Too small boat and too big seas to be doing that.

edit: beat me to it.