Ruh-Roh
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From: A Spark On the Horizon
Ruh-Roh
Coast Guard Searching For 4 Missing Boaters
By NEIL JOHNSON | The Tampa Tribune
Published: March 1, 2009
The Coast Guard is searching for four boaters who left Clearwater Pass about 6:30 a.m. Saturday in a 21-foot, center-console boat.
The Coast Guard said three of the four people on board may be professional football players.
The Coast Guard was alerted about 1:30 a.m. today when the boat did not return as expected. The search started about 2 a.m., centered about 50 miles from Clearwater Pass. The search area covers about 750 square miles.
The search involves a 47-foot boat, a helicopter, airplane and cutter, the Coast Guard said.
The boaters left while weather conditions were forecast to grow worse by Saturday night. At 4:30 a.m., the National Weather Service marine forecast said a small craft advisory, meaning winds were expected to top 20 mph, would likely be issued Saturday night.
At 3:30 p.m. Saturday the weather service also warned of high winds and rough seas.
Forecasts call for waves today to reach 12 feet 20 miles and farther offshore.
By NEIL JOHNSON | The Tampa Tribune
Published: March 1, 2009
The Coast Guard is searching for four boaters who left Clearwater Pass about 6:30 a.m. Saturday in a 21-foot, center-console boat.
The Coast Guard said three of the four people on board may be professional football players.
The Coast Guard was alerted about 1:30 a.m. today when the boat did not return as expected. The search started about 2 a.m., centered about 50 miles from Clearwater Pass. The search area covers about 750 square miles.
The search involves a 47-foot boat, a helicopter, airplane and cutter, the Coast Guard said.
The boaters left while weather conditions were forecast to grow worse by Saturday night. At 4:30 a.m., the National Weather Service marine forecast said a small craft advisory, meaning winds were expected to top 20 mph, would likely be issued Saturday night.
At 3:30 p.m. Saturday the weather service also warned of high winds and rough seas.
Forecasts call for waves today to reach 12 feet 20 miles and farther offshore.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,279
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From: Bradenton, Florida
From Bay News 9
PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The Coast Guard is searching for a missing fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico that may have NFL players aboard.
According to officials, the 21-foot fishing boat left from the Seminole Boat Ramp in Clearwater Pass Saturday about 6:30 am with four people on board.
According to one official, Marquis Cooper, Nick Skyler, Corey Smith and a possible fourth person did not return from their fishing trip as expected.
Smith has played the last three seasons with the Detroit Lions. He played with the Buccaneers from 2002-04. Cooper spent the 2008 season with the Oakland Raiders. He was with the Bucs in 2004 and 2005.
The boat, which was about 50 miles out in the Gulf, was supposed to return Saturday evening. The boat was reported missing at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
Officials said searching the water Sunday was difficult due to the rain and wind moving through the Bay area. The Coast is using two boats, a plane and a helicopter in the search, which is being conducted over an area of 750 square miles.
PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The Coast Guard is searching for a missing fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico that may have NFL players aboard.
According to officials, the 21-foot fishing boat left from the Seminole Boat Ramp in Clearwater Pass Saturday about 6:30 am with four people on board.
According to one official, Marquis Cooper, Nick Skyler, Corey Smith and a possible fourth person did not return from their fishing trip as expected.
Smith has played the last three seasons with the Detroit Lions. He played with the Buccaneers from 2002-04. Cooper spent the 2008 season with the Oakland Raiders. He was with the Bucs in 2004 and 2005.
The boat, which was about 50 miles out in the Gulf, was supposed to return Saturday evening. The boat was reported missing at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
Officials said searching the water Sunday was difficult due to the rain and wind moving through the Bay area. The Coast is using two boats, a plane and a helicopter in the search, which is being conducted over an area of 750 square miles.
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From: Behind you. Yep, I'm there.
Originally Posted by BORT617,Mar 1 2009, 02:15 PM
Five passengers set sail that day for a three hour tour. A three hour tour.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,279
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From: Bradenton, Florida
PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The Coast Guard is searching for a missing fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico that is reported to have NFL players on board.
According to officials, the 21-foot fishing boat left from the Seminole Boat Ramp in Clearwater Pass Saturday at around 6:30 am with four people on board.
According to officials, Marquis Cooper, Nick Schuyler, Corey Smith and William Bleakley did not return from their fishing trip as expected.
Smith, 29, played the last three seasons with the Detroit Lions but recently became a free agent. He played with the Buccaneers from 2002-04.
Cooper, 26, who owns the boat, spent the 2008 season with the Oakland Raiders. He was with the Bucs in 2004 and 2005.
The other two men on board are not NFL players.
The boat, which was about 50 miles out in the Gulf, was supposed to return Saturday evening. The boat was reported missing at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
According to the manufacturer, the boat is supposed to be unsinkable. The boat did have life jackets and flares on board. The Coast Guard says they never received a distress call from the boat.
Officials said searching the water Sunday was difficult due to the rain and wind moving through the Bay area. The Coast is using a boat and four aircraft in the search, which is being conducted over an area of 750 square miles.
The Coast Guard plans to search into the night for the boat and the men aboard.
Florida Fish and Wildlife is assisting in the search.
If you have any information that could help call The Coast Guard at (727) 824-7506.
According to officials, the 21-foot fishing boat left from the Seminole Boat Ramp in Clearwater Pass Saturday at around 6:30 am with four people on board.
According to officials, Marquis Cooper, Nick Schuyler, Corey Smith and William Bleakley did not return from their fishing trip as expected.
Smith, 29, played the last three seasons with the Detroit Lions but recently became a free agent. He played with the Buccaneers from 2002-04.
Cooper, 26, who owns the boat, spent the 2008 season with the Oakland Raiders. He was with the Bucs in 2004 and 2005.
The other two men on board are not NFL players.
The boat, which was about 50 miles out in the Gulf, was supposed to return Saturday evening. The boat was reported missing at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
According to the manufacturer, the boat is supposed to be unsinkable. The boat did have life jackets and flares on board. The Coast Guard says they never received a distress call from the boat.
Officials said searching the water Sunday was difficult due to the rain and wind moving through the Bay area. The Coast is using a boat and four aircraft in the search, which is being conducted over an area of 750 square miles.
The Coast Guard plans to search into the night for the boat and the men aboard.
Florida Fish and Wildlife is assisting in the search.
If you have any information that could help call The Coast Guard at (727) 824-7506.
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Once again people think that just because they own something they know how to use it. Be it a car/boat or plane. Yes anyone can buy a boat and pull it away from the dock but does that make them a Captain. I don't think so!