Fishing Boat Carrying NFL Players Reported Missing in Florida
The Coast Guard searched off Florida's Gulf Coast on Sunday for a fishing boat carrying NFL players Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper and two other men missing nearly a day in choppy seas.
Smith is a defensive end for the Detroit Lions, and Cooper is an Oakland Raiders linebacker, were on a 21-foot vessel that left Clearwater Pass for a fishing trip Saturday morning and did not return. Crews used a helicopter and an 87-foot ship to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass.
Cooper owns the boat and he and Smith have been on many fishing trips before this one. The coast guard had stated that the weather early Saturday had been fair, but got worse as the day went on. The National Weather Service said seas were about 2 to 4 feet Saturday morning and increased to 3 to 5 feet in the afternoon. Late Saturday night, a small craft advisory was issued, when winds were around 20 knots and seas were up to 7 feet or more.
There was no communication with the men even before the weather started to pick up. They were expected home by early evening. No sign of them or the boat had been spotted by late Sunday afternoon. Relatives told the Coast Guard the men had lifejackets and flares onboard.
"That's not to say they didn't send one out," he said. "We didn't receive anything."
The Coast Guard search was mainly by air so far, but was hampered by the poor weather. Just 14 feet offshore and wind gusts of up to 30 mph.
Whenever there are people missing it is a scary thing for both family and friends of the victims. Not knowing if they are going to return and if they are going to be found is very scary. I could image what is going through their minds right now. I can only pray and hope that the men make it back to shore safely.
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Wow I didnt know this. I am very edger to find out what happens with these men. It shows how important it is to let every one know where you are when you go out to the seas. I am not sure what guys these are but I hope it wont affect their season next year.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard about this story so it was very interesting to read about it.
ReplyDeleteIt is scary to think that their boat possibly crashed. When someone at sea is missing this long, it probably isnt a good sign. Hopefully everyone is trying to do everything in their power to find the boat and it's passengers.
This is one of those times where it would be hard to be a PR representative. I cannot imagine having to be the Coast Guard rep that has to deal with the media frenzy this situation has generated. Remaining upbeat and hopeful while watching the hours tick by and the men’s chances of survival dwindle has to be hard. Top that with the heavy responsibility of keeping the public up-to-date and unafraid of boating in that area and you have all the makings for a severe headache!
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