NFL players may have shed life vests in struggle against elements

A sad story gets sadder ...

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor of an ordeal involving a capsized fishing boat off Florida's Gulf Coast, told investigators that he and three others -- including NFL players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith, who remain missing and presumed drowned -- had donned life vests after their boat was flipped by a large wave.

But the St. Petersburg Times, quoting family members who were briefed by the U.S. Coast Guard, reports that the two NFL players eventually slipped free of their life vests and drifted off, with no more fight. The third missing fisherman, Will Bleakley, claimed to have seen a light and reportedly tried swimming to safety.

Whatever the details, three men are probably dead and what they went through underscores how quickly things can go wrong at sea, especially for those not thoroughly prepared.

With this in mind, the BoatU.S. Foundation offers these tips for anyone pondering an offshore fishing trip aboard a private vessel:

-- File a float plan and make sure you adhere to it. By filing a float plan with a reliable family member or friend, they will be your first life-line to safety by letting the authorities know when you are overdue, where you had planned to go, and what time you were supposed to return.

-- Have a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) VHF radio and ensure it's connected to your GPS receiver. With the U.S. Coast Guard's modern coastal "Rescue 21" system now operational in many parts of the country, including the Gulf Coast, anyone aboard a boat can simply press the mayday button on the radio that automatically gives rescuers precise location information. DSC VHF radios are also now available in hand-held models.

-- Purchase or rent an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). These satellite beacons are used for passages 20 miles or more from shore, beyond VHF radio range, and can be automatically activated to summon help. The Foundation rents these lifesaving beacons to anglers, racers and other coastal passage makers who have a temporary need for this safety device. To date, the rental beacons have saved 62 lives.

Meanwhile, a small armada of private boaters has embarked upon a search for the missing fishermen. The Coast Guard abandoned its search Tuesday evening.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard

Comments

[Lupe F]

To the families all involed I have been thinking and praying for all of you. What ever happens the good times and please keep your faith in God.

[Mike T.]

I wonder if anyone has looked under the boat. Over Thanksgiving weekend on the west coast, 2 fisherman dissapeared after their boat capsized. After a long search of the waters by the Coast Guard, they found the bodies under the boat.

[Carol Anne]

Please note that these men did not put on their life jackets until AFTER they were in danger. Wear your PFDs, boaters!!

[c cloud]

I pray for this family as me and my family have been through the same thing and my advice is to pray for the men and their families and believe in miracles. It is also time to be thinking about a memorial service for them as that is exactly what we were told to do as hard as this may sound! I never wanted to give up!!!!!!!!!!! They were not alone in those waters as God and Jesus were with them!

[idealist]

My thoughts and prayers are with the families.But especially Rebekah cooper who has a 3 year old daughter.Be strong and have faith,they might be outhere somewhere.
May God help you in those difficult days.

[Tina Bennett Boyd]

May GOD be with these young men and their families..Praying for you all in North Carolina

[valerie tate]

God bless their souls. i pray for them and their families.