Updated: Coast Guard Calls Off Search for Missing NFL Players

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by 44ever

My bad. I was going off a earlier article which didnt disclose the type of boat. Thanks for the link.

With that said, I would still like to know how they got seperated. One guy was able to climb on hull and stay there. I would assume that the others were unconcious but an earlier article stated they were all able to swim under the boat to get life preservers. so why would they not all climb on the hull or at least tie off to each other or the boat. Usually the docking ropes are always connected to the cleats. I still hope they are somehow alive and found. Very sad.

No problem. And yes very sad story to say the least. Per Schuyler the lone survivor, here is his account of the tragedy.

According to Schuyler, the man found clinging to the fishing boat on Monday, Cooper and Smith, gave up hope.

"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.

Nick said that two to four hours after the boat tipped over in rough waters, one of the two NFL players decided he'd had enough. A few hours later, the second one did the same thing. If that isn't enough, Schuyler said that Will Bleakley, who stayed hanging on the capsized boat with Nick, told him he saw a light in the distance and decided to try and swim for it.

"I think he was delusional to think he could swim someplace," Will's father said.

While this is the first thing Nick has been quoted as saying happened, one family member of the missing players isn't exactly sure how "together" he must be after such a traumatic experience.

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."

The search ends at 6:30 PM ET on Tuesday.

[44ever]

Originally Posted by skinsfan_nn

No problem. And yes very sad story to say the least. Per Schuyler the lone survivor, here is his account of the tragedy.

According to Schuyler, the man found clinging to the fishing boat on Monday, Cooper and Smith, gave up hope.

"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.

Nick said that two to four hours after the boat tipped over in rough waters, one of the two NFL players decided he'd had enough. A few hours later, the second one did the same thing. If that isn't enough, Schuyler said that Will Bleakley, who stayed hanging on the capsized boat with Nick, told him he saw a light in the distance and decided to try and swim for it.

"I think he was delusional to think he could swim someplace," Will's father said.

While this is the first thing Nick has been quoted as saying happened, one family member of the missing players isn't exactly sure how "together" he must be after such a traumatic experience.

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."

The search ends at 6:30 PM ET on Tuesday.

I guess Im just not buying the story Skinsfan_nn. It may be true. But seems unlikely. IMO

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by 44ever

My bad. I was going off a earlier article which didnt disclose the type of boat. Thanks for the link.

With that said, I would still like to know how they got seperated. One guy was able to climb on hull and stay there. I would assume that the others were unconcious but an earlier article stated they were all able to swim under the boat to get life preservers. so why would they not all climb on the hull or at least tie off to each other or the boat. Usually the docking ropes are always connected to the cleats. I still hope they are somehow alive and found. Very sad.

Well from a boating site that I check out some have people in that live in that area said the seas kicked up pretty strong at times. I believe the first night they went missing the seas hit 12 to 15 feet and that could have been what causeed them to be seperated from the boat. It could have been that the boat was getting tossed around so much from the seas they thought it caused more of a danger then it provided help. The said part is that for about $700 to $1200 the boat owner could have purchased an epirb which would have giving out a major distress signal and their location. Most of the time when one goes off its just a matter of either a ship, boat or the time for the cost guard to get the choppers in the air and heading their way. I also think if they just had the cheap lifejackets they would be tough to use for men of their size and their size probably worked against them.If you have ever seen the Most Deadlest Catch when a boat sinks you hear them talking about searching in the area where the epirb signal is picked up.

[Nflnick11]

Sad story ...RIP guys...

[KLHJ2]

You know, deep in my heart I wanted to believe that the other guys would make it out as well (pro football players or not). The reality is, that even if they had survived this long they would have died of starvation, hypothermia, or dehydration by now. Realistically they put up a big fight, but I rather that they died quickly instead. My thoughts go out to their families.

[44ever]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Well from a boating site that I check out some have people in that live in that area said the seas kicked up pretty strong at times. I believe the first night they went missing the seas hit 12 to 15 feet and that could have been what causeed them to be seperated from the boat. It could have been that the boat was getting tossed around so much from the seas they thought it caused more of a danger then it provided help. The said part is that for about $700 to $1200 the boat owner could have purchased an epirb which would have giving out a major distress signal and their location. Most of the time when one goes off its just a matter of either a ship, boat or the time for the cost guard to get the choppers in the air and heading their way. I also think if they just had the cheap lifejackets they would be tough to use for men of their size and their size probably worked against them.If you have ever seen the Most Deadlest Catch when a boat sinks you hear them talking about searching in the area where the epirb signal is picked up.

Yea I didnt think about the life jacket to size ratio, good point. I lived in SW FL for 30 years and yes the gulf is like that. Ive been caught in storms many times when it looked clear and sunny with calm water 30 minutes prior. So that is true. Hog1 lives in Naples Fl. He said it was very windy that day. I just cant imagine these guys tried to swim for it. I wonder if they knew how far out they actually were. Or they did and fear and adrenaline took over. They should make the epirb law after this. I cant stop thinking about what those guys must have went through. Lord Bless their families.

[53Fan]

God bless their families. Life should never be taken for granted. It is a gift.

[Hog1]

How long can it be before a few attorneys get involved and bring an action against the boat owners estate for negligence in causing the other's death?

[MTK]

Sad ending to this story. I can't imagine going out like that.

[irish]

It is amazing that the 2 men we would perceive as the strongest were the first to give up, take off their lifejackets and float away. It just goes to show that without mental strength physical strength wont go too far. Sad ending to the story.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

I cant beleive they gave up hope of being rescued after just a couple hours. that doesnt make sense at all. i wonder if they were intoxicated and that played into their willingness to give up so easily.

[GMScud]

Man, this is pretty gut wrenching.

ProFootballTalk.com - REPORT: THE THREE MISSING BOATERS TOOK OFF THEIR LIFE VESTS

[Monkeydad]

^

Can people stop sourcing PFT so much?


I thought he man they recovered told authorities they had all been together and were wearing life jackets?

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by 44ever

Yea I didnt think about the life jacket to size ratio, good point. I lived in SW FL for 30 years and yes the gulf is like that. Ive been caught in storms many times when it looked clear and sunny with calm water 30 minutes prior. So that is true. Hog1 lives in Naples Fl. He said it was very windy that day. I just cant imagine these guys tried to swim for it. I wonder if they knew how far out they actually were. Or they did and fear and adrenaline took over. They should make the epirb law after this. I cant stop thinking about what those guys must have went through. Lord Bless their families.

I believe Epirbs are required for any type of boat that carries passengers for pay but not for private owners. I don't have an Epirb on my boat but I do have the proper equipment to signal for help for the areas I us my boat. If I took my boat out 30 miles or more on a regular bases then I'd probably have an Epirb. If they just had a standard VHF radio and had listened to the weather for any time they would have heard plenty of marine warning about the front moving into the area. They usually start the warnings 24 hours ahead of time so boater out much farther have plenty of time to find a safe place to go. The problem with boaters is in most states you can buy a boat of any size and head out on the water without any training or lic.. I know alot of people who have boated for years who still have know clue about safty.

[44ever]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

I cant beleive they gave up hope of being rescued after just a couple hours. that doesnt make sense at all. i wonder if they were intoxicated and that played into their willingness to give up so easily.

Never thought of that BHA. That may indeed be the main contributing factor of why their judment seems off. Because it does'nt make sense to me either. You may be right.