They're spending WAY too much time trying to sway public opinion on this.
EVERYONE KNOWS that something much different went on besides the FIVE ACCOUNTS we've heard thus far.
First swimming for a light, now dying in his arms.
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
looking for a reason to stop small boats?????? NEW LAWS??? They've never minded a few sacrifices in the pursuit of CONTROL.
Jessica Lunsford for the nazi that runs around the country promoting nazi exclusionary laws that limit a person's ability to find a place to live when maybe they've only urinated in public. Or had sex with their girlfriend.... or an UNDERAGE GIRL like Jessica Lunsford's older brother, Mark Lunsford's other unfortunate child.
Nick Schuyler is very articulate (i guess that's okay because he's a white guy) according to the person who wrote this report ... is this like the TENTH article on this???? trying to sway public opinion???????
AND, his own doctor said there is no way that he was confused enough by hypothermia to make things up as he did.
See, yall have shitty plans. You need to GET THE STORY STRAIGHT before the coast guard gets there.....
PatFL from pinellas
Mar 28th, 2009 5:01 PM
READ the whole story before asking such as...ine Q's! Have been to the middlegrounds many times with an experienced boater and in a much bigger boat. Would he have gone out with the weather report? NEVER! May God Bless these boys and their families.
BigAl from Brooksville
Mar 28th, 2009 3:50 PM
I only opened this article to post of how sick I am of reading about it. Don't you guys have any other thing going on to report about?
Bill K from St. Petersburg
Mar 28th, 2009 3:33 PM
One thought. How much does an anchor cost. When they couldn't get the ancor up, just leave it, it's cheap.
Bob from Florida
Mar 28th, 2009 2:18 PM
Some of these comment demonstrate how "little" some people can be. A real inability to connect with others. Should the cost of mistakes be death? Cruel, heartless people! Frightening!
Bt from St Aug.
Mar 28th, 2009 1:58 PM
Elaine from Hernando Co.--instead of watching so much TV that puts crazy conspiracy thoughts in your empty head, read a book on proper grammar, or check a dictionary on how to spell "leary". It was a tragic accident, caused by bad decisions-period!
Pablo from Temple Terrace
Mar 28th, 2009 1:05 PM
Hey, St. Pete Times, it would be useful if you guys had some expert advice on what the proper procedure is in that situation. It could help other boaters.
Joel from Palm Harbor
Mar 28th, 2009 12:39 PM
Having the money to purchase a boat doesn't mean the owner has the ability or knowledge to operate the boat. Three live lost over the cost of an anchor. How terrible.
kesha from pasco
Mar 28th, 2009 10:34 AM
The "captain" is clearly guilty of negligent manslaughter. I'm surprised da families have not tried to sue ANYBODY as usual...
Scott from Saint Pete
Mar 28th, 2009 10:32 AM
Why check the weather or learn boater safety when your a NFL star! Give me a break they have privilages you common people don't have. Give it a break. Don't think your relatives will be able to get the coast guard searching for over 3 days.
James from Weeki Wachee
Mar 28th, 2009 9:50 AM
1 boat, 1 engine, 4 men, 1 surviver, King of the Hill (Hull)? Maybe.
Peter from Spring Hill FL
Mar 28th, 2009 9:04 AM
God bless & comfort the hearts and souls of the families and men themselves. I know they're good people, didn't deserve this. Unfortunately poor judgement and decisions led to such circumstances. May we all learn or reaffirm from such mistakes.peace
Peter from Shelter Island NY
Mar 28th, 2009 8:30 AM
Let me see? Alcohol + Inufficient and inaccessable PFD's + improper anchoring + no float plan + no waterproof VHF + no weather watch + no boaters safety course = Recipe for the disaster that happened.
Dever from Chattanooga
Mar 28th, 2009 8:15 AM
should they have ventured out that day due to weather and why so far??? education!!!! boating is not like playing in one's sandbox. such tragedy!
Dave from Port Richey
Mar 28th, 2009 7:44 AM
Nuthin' like arm chair quarterbacks! You guys probably have all the answers to the world's problems.
Nancy from Clearwater
Mar 28th, 2009 7:23 AM
Lets see....it's windy, theres a cold front coming, lets take a 21 foot boat 50 miles out into the Gulf, lets drink, take no 2 way radio, no safety course, no common sense.....
mc from clearwater
Mar 28th, 2009 7:16 AM
Thank you Brant from Miami.Couldn't have said it better myself. You conspiracy people need to get off the couch, turn off CSI, and maybe read up on boating safety/ effects of hypothermia. The press printed some story details w/o confirming them.
Denise from Brandon, FL
Mar 28th, 2009 7:03 AM
I hope to God that the families of these men are not reading the comments that you people have made about these men. These men are someone's brothers, sons, boyfriends and husbands. Do any of you have a heart?
Cecil from Mad Bch
Mar 28th, 2009 6:57 AM
Carrie from St Pete: Didn't find the anchor ? Are you kidding? Have you even seen the gulf? How would anyone find the anchor?
Dan from New York
Mar 28th, 2009 6:48 AM
My wife and I took the Coast Guard safety course last summer and we learned about filing a "float plan" and to NEVER tie the anchor line to the transom. When I read this, I realized how avoidable this tragedy was. The sea is unforgiving.
Robbie from Inverness
Mar 28th, 2009 6:17 AM
Inexperience, linked to bravado and almost unbelievable stupidity, cost three men their lives. Maybe the coast guard, and others, will routinely stop small boats, heading out into the Gulf, and look for an EPIRB ....
Carol from Seminole
Mar 28th, 2009 6:14 AM
Oh for pete's sake you weirdo's..., this was a BOATING ACCIDENT as a result of poor decision making, NOT SOME DEATH CONSPIRACY. Geez... Some people on these boards create a whole new definition for ignorant - for real. Geez.
George from Tarpon Springs
Mar 28th, 2009 5:27 AM
I may not be the brightest lightbulb but...the things these guys did just don't make any sense.
kyle from stpete
Mar 28th, 2009 5:24 AM
There is a front coming in tonight. Do not take a small boat out.
Danny from Largo
Mar 28th, 2009 5:04 AM
Don't people check the weather before they go out 50 miles into the Gulf with a 21 foot boat?
Pete from St Pete
Mar 28th, 2009 4:41 AM
The anchor they showed on Tv is the cheapest anchor to buy and one of the hardest to remove from the bottom. There are better ones for easy anchor easy remove. Sounds like lack of experience with a boat caused the mistakes.
Brant from Miami
Mar 28th, 2009 4:26 AM
Expanding on Steve's point: The conspiracy-mongering over this story seems to mainly come from people who(a) have no boating experience, (b) have no reading comprehension skills, and/or (c) have no knowledge of the effects of hypothermia.
TinMan from Tampa
Mar 28th, 2009 4:24 AM
Only morons would go 50 miles off shore in a 21' open boat to start with. Add in no VHF, no EPIRB, no experience & it's a recipe for disaster (or criminal negligence, take your pick).
marty from Branford
Mar 28th, 2009 4:03 AM
Tragic to lose 3 lives over boating basics. The craft looked in pics to have shallow transom freeboard in the first place, regardless of anchoring. Add a likely following sea that night and even with cutting the anchor you have potential swamping.
ed from new port richey
Mar 28th, 2009 3:52 AM
anyone thinking comspiracy on thi, you're nuts, poor boating decisions were made here. They never should have left the ramp. safety, first last and always. god bless their families.
Ken from Tampa
Mar 28th, 2009 3:14 AM
Even in a sad story, some people look for a conspiracy under every rock. Get some professional help, people.
Natasha from Tarpon Springs, FL
Mar 28th, 2009 2:08 AM
The night the search began was so windy and cold even inside my house! I could hear the gusts from my bedroom, and I sat thinking...I couldn't imagine being outside wet. These poor guys... for Nick to survive that, I admire his mental strength.
Natasha from Tarpon Springs
Mar 28th, 2009 2:00 AM
These 4 men have taught me a lot. Be at peace. Look...when I've had to cut my fishing line/ hook because it gets caught, it's annoying! These guys just didn't want to lose another anchor. That's just human nature/ stubbornness.
Gloria from Virginia
Mar 28th, 2009 1:07 AM
Its time for the lawsuits to begin, then Nick Schuyler can be question in a court of law. I'm sure he's lying now.
Bill from Texas
Mar 28th, 2009 1:01 AM
Why does some idiot always think someone needs to be charged with a crime?
DR from Tampa
Mar 27th, 2009 9:21 PM
G, read the report again. It clearly states that Nick cut the anchor and of course, it wasn't found. Sad, terrible, avoidable story. We will never get the reason why they put their lives on the line to catch fish.
k from Louisiana
Mar 27th, 2009 8:46 PM
Irresponsible to post these families addresses on the internet. Understandable to post the facts of investigation but you've created a huge security issue for the families. My condolences to all involved.
mike from st. pete
Mar 27th, 2009 8:34 PM
This almost happened to me and two friends,in similar gulf conditions while fishing two years ago. Conditions deteriorate rapidly as many of you know,we all make errors in judgement but seldom pay with our lives. Please dont insult these victims.
lonewolf from Crytstal River
Mar 27th, 2009 7:33 PM
Hey pat from San Francisco, guilt is a heavy burden as well, not just PTSD.
Crystal from New Port Richey
Mar 27th, 2009 7:24 PM
G from keys, it clearly says that they cut the anchor line w/the prop. And to all you people who have never been out there when things go bad, you have no clue how fast it happens, and the sense of panic clouds your thinking.
carrie from st pete
Mar 27th, 2009 6:05 PM
Worried about a $100 anchor in very choppy waters ? 4 guys/$25 each After boat flipped Schuyler cut the anchor line w/propellor, odd if there was no slack & boat was upside down. Anchor and bodies never found....
Mel from St. Pete
Mar 27th, 2009 6:00 PM
Read the last sentence G from the Keys.
CaptRick from MadBeach
Mar 27th, 2009 5:01 PM
Inexperience was the only reason this loss of life happened. first off to break you anchor loose you only need put the boat in gear and run up past the anchor. the bow is much stronger than the transom or gunnel and your heading into the sea. GD Luck
scott from st pete
Mar 27th, 2009 3:14 PM
You dont need brains to buy a boat- just money.
steve from tampa
Mar 27th, 2009 3:03 PM
You people with no offshore boating experience, stop thinking up conspiracies. These people made some poor decisions?which is quite enough to get you into trouble out there, even without conspiracies?and paid the price. But less hostility, please!
pat from San Francisco
Mar 27th, 2009 2:56 PM
Had all 4 lived, only Cooper/owner/operator would have been charged. Totally his responsibility to know how to operate the boat safely. I hope Schuyler is seeking psychological help to lesson the chance of life-long trauma. PTSD is a heavy burden.
G from Keys
Mar 27th, 2009 2:23 PM
Was the boat still anchored when the Coast Guard found it? That's not answered in either the article or the report.
Bob from Dunrdin
Mar 27th, 2009 2:16 PM
Four big guys, 21-ft boat? Overload? Hardtop changes center of gravity? Out too far? Predicted weather front coming in? No radio. Anchored to stern cleat w/no scope? Accident looking for a place to happen!
julio from crystal river
Mar 27th, 2009 2:09 PM
Evidence that a college degree does not equal common sense. Something still smells very fishly regarding this story. An abyss of unknowns and inconsistencies.
Mike from Palm Harbor
Mar 27th, 2009 1:41 PM
Just freaking sad!!
KAMI from ST PETERSBURG
Mar 27th, 2009 1:00 PM
I hope lives will be saved by this tragic accident. I do smell something fishy with Nick's account or version of events.Keep in mind there were only three life jackets,one floatable device.He didn't have one initially,but ended up having one on!!
Scott from Seminole
Mar 27th, 2009 12:57 PM
A professional football player concerned over an $80 anchor? Wow.
Andrew from Tampa
Mar 27th, 2009 12:33 PM
The time matters b/c it was almost sunset and they were still miles out and the fact weather reports made it clear storms were moving in at that time. They blundered on a number of fronts.
Dan from Tampa
Mar 27th, 2009 11:54 AM
First time to comment on here. All boaters have/should learn(ed)from this. I just got my first EPIRB because of this sad event. Have over 500hrs boating yet still learning. God bless the families, but rest assured knowing this event will save others
J from Tampa
Mar 27th, 2009 11:02 AM
Wait a minute, I thought they said that Bleakley saw a light and started swimming after it....now it says he died and was released. Which is the truth?
Sarah from St. Pete
Mar 27th, 2009 11:00 AM
For a measly $80 bucks, I'd have cut the anchor loose in weather that bad.
Greg from Tampa
Mar 27th, 2009 10:47 AM
Duh...this is all common sense...how much money was wasted investigating this? I am sorry for their losses, but there was no need to spend money investigating the obvious.
Trina from Tampa
Mar 27th, 2009 10:27 AM
So sad...My heart goes out to the families.
John from St. Pete
Mar 27th, 2009 10:26 AM
Get your epirb and don't be a ding-ding. Sad story but it wasn't unavoidable.
Elaine from Hernando County
Mar 27th, 2009 10:25 AM
I'm still very liery as to how this energyless survivor Schuyler however is hanging on to the over turned boat for dear life, find strength and room left in his arms to comfort Bleakley unto death? This is such a red flag to this reader.
gator from clearwater
Mar 27th, 2009 10:18 AM
what time does it matter that they were anchored? bottom line is they made bad boating decisions which cost them their lives. God Bless the families.
Ashley from St. Petersburg
Mar 27th, 2009 10:16 AM
I hope everyone that owns, will ever own or will ever go on a boat reads this story and never forgets about these men, their story will forever change the lives of people they never got to meet. Bless them for every life they will save. RIP
ctb from st. pete
Mar 27th, 2009 10:15 AM
Horrible! Education/training is sorely needed by a LOT of FL boaters...
Mike from Largo
Mar 27th, 2009 10:08 AM
I read the report and it all makes sense. Inexperience sealed the men's fate. And for the sake of the families, I wish that all the conspiracy therorists out there would just shut up. (But we know they wont.)
Kevin from Detroit
Mar 27th, 2009 10:07 AM
Hindsight is always 20/20 and while I'm sure these guys were doing what they felt was the right thing to do at the time it'll be the survior and the families that live with the what ifs now. This was an accident and a sad turn of events
Bobby from Tampa
Mar 27th, 2009 9:48 AM
Well, he obviously was "experienced" as reported if he lost an anchor the same way a week before and had not learned from that to slowy power over the anchor with it cleated at the bow. That's seamanship 101.
Chris from St Pete, FL
Mar 27th, 2009 9:43 AM
Stupid, stupid, stupid. The legislature, that is. Boat owners/operators should be licensed - educated and tested being the priority and a license being the only means to insure compliance.
bulletinizer from St. Pete Beach
Mar 27th, 2009 9:37 AM
If Marquis Cooper had lived, negligent manslaughter. Will Bleakley would face contributatory negligence. Corey Smith's family wins the lawsuit lottery and Nick Schuyler is lucky to be breathing. Why, why didn't they just cut another anchor. So sad...
Andrew from Tampa
Mar 27th, 2009 9:09 AM
So it wasn't a wave at all that capsized these guys. Why were they anchored at 5:30?
Reeves from Tampa
Mar 27th, 2009 7:49 AM
Many more lives are going to be saved in the future because of their ordeal. Many fishermen have learned a lot from this. God Bless the families.