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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.
Bleakley and Schuyler are former USF football players.
According to Bleakley's father, Robert, Bleakley has degrees in finance and accounting and was working as a financial field employee until his office closed due to the weak economy.
Bleakley's father also said Schuyler is a personal fitness trainer and that one of the NFL players is a client of his. He said his son has been in tough situations before and that he expects him to come out of this one too.
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.
Bleakley and Schuyler are former USF football players.
According to Bleakley's father, Robert, Bleakley has degrees in finance and accounting and was working as a financial field employee until his office closed due to the weak economy.
Bleakley's father also said Schuyler is a personal fitness trainer and that one of the NFL players is a client of his. He said his son has been in tough situations before and that he expects him to come out of this one too.
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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