Coast Guard spent $1.6M seeking 4 lost men

[David]

AP


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A Florida newspaper reports the search for two NFL players and two other men missing in the Gulf of Mexico cost the U.S. Coast Guard $1.6 million.

The St. Petersburg Times reported Tuesday that the three-day search covered more than 20,000 square miles and required 230 combined hours of Coast Guard aircraft and boats.

Former University of South Florida football player Nick Schuyler was the only survivor. He was found atop the capsized 21-foot fishing boat on March 2, about two days after it overturned in rough seas off Clearwater.

Searchers never found Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper, free-agent NFL defensive lineman Corey Smith, who played for the Detroit Lions last season, and former USF player William Bleakley.

[Tamaroa]

Its not clear whether the newspaper is being critical or not. Also i'm not familiar with current Coast Guard standards regarding rescues. What I can say is that when I was on the Tam a long long time ago (1967-68) we routinely spent up to three days on missions. What was the coast to feed 77 men and burn fuel for three days looking for someone who fell overboard???

I don't know, but I recall one case where we were returning to our home port of Staten Island. We were in view of Ambrose Light when we were told to divert and head on up to an area about 200 miles east of Block Island. We were not exactly a speed demon so we chugged our way up there and searched for almost three days. We never found the guy.

Was it worth the extra money it cost to support us? Maybe, maybe not. Definitely, if we had found the guy. But he was no where to be seen. It is our job though. We searched til we find the person or when 72 hours was up. What else is there to do.

Bill

[DMZ-LT]

Been going grouper fishing in the same area these guys went down in for the last 15 years.No major problems but the Coast Guard is the angel on our six , always. Hats off to these great men and women.