Author Topic: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.  (Read 793 times)

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Offline DalesCarpentry

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Here is a link to the report. Dale

The official Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s report on the boating accident in the Gulf of Mexico involving four friends, including two NFL players and two former University of South Florida football players, is released. Officially called the Florida Boating Accident Investigation Report, the report cites three factors contributing to the accident; careless or reckless operation, improper anchoring and operator inexperience. You can view the full report here. You can see more photos of the recovered boat here.

Although one of the possible causes listed is operator inexperience, the report later notes that Marquis Cooper had over 100 hours experience operating this type of boat. The report also says that Cooper didn’t have any operator education, and that he’d been drinking alcohol. The drinking conclusion comes from testimony from Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor of the accident, since Cooper’s body hasn’t been recovered to perform any kind of blood-alcohol content test. Also lost in the accident were Corey Smith and Will Bleakley.

According to testimony from Schuyler, the boat capsized at about 5:30 in the evening on February 28 while the men tried to use the boat’s motor to dislodge the anchor from the Gulf bottom.

"They made a mistake that turned out to be a tragic event," said FWC investigator James Manson.

Schuyler said Cooper told the men he'd already lost an anchor the same way the previous weekend, according to the report. An offshore anchor costs about $80 to $100, Manson said, and the men probably did not want to lose one again.

"Again, that's a mistake," Manson said.

http://www.examiner.com/x-2911-Tampa-Top-News-Examiner~y2009m3d27-Improper-anchoring-one-cause-of-boat-accident-FWC-report

Here is the report.
http://www.myfwc.com/docs/Newsroom/FWC_BoatingAccidentInvestigationFWSW_09_OFF_1335.pdf
Here are the pictures.
http://www.myfwc.com/NEWSROOM/Resources/News_Resources_BoatAccident.htm
The quality of a mans life is in direct proportion to his commitment to excellence.

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Offline Tommyt

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Re: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2009, 10:32:07 AM »
 
Hey Folks I was tempted to Post this earlier but held out ,but seeing how our Anchor Dale has brought it back I'll post this one from or local Paper
But Lets let Them rest in Peace PLEASE
Above all it came down to bad decisions to leave port and the Killer Mistake The Cutting of the Anchor
the other story also said they cut the Anchor rope with the Prop to try and Right the Boat

Tampa Tribute
By STEPHEN THOMPSON and JEFF PATTERSON

The Tampa Tribune and News Channel 8

Published: March 27, 2009

Updated: 04:41 pm

Related Links

Player's Father Speaks
Read Today's Report
Costly Errors Made
Coast Guard Reviews Challenges Of Boater Search
Capsized Boaters Couldn't Hang On Long In Frigid Waters
Photo Gallery
Careless and inexperienced piloting, along with improper anchoring, caused the boating mishap that took the lives of two professional football players, and one former USF football player, according to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Report released this morning.

Marquis Cooper, a linebacker with the Oakland Raiders, owned and was responsible for piloting the vessel before it capsized. He and two other boaters – William Bleakley, a former USF football player, and Corey Smith, a free agent who last played for the Detroit Lions – went missing after Cooper's 21-foot Everglades open motor boat capsized on Feb. 28 about 50 miles offshore. Another former USF football player, Nick Schuyler, was the sole survivor.

According to the report, the boaters were unable to free the anchor, which was caught on something 138 feet underwater in the Gulf of Mexico. Cooper lost his anchor one week earlier for the same reason – an inability to free it from the Gulf bottom, the report states. And Fish and Wildlife investigators speculated that perhaps he didn't want to lose another one.

Bleakley suggested they tie the anchor to the transom, at a back corner of the boat, to try and free it, the report states. Afterward, all four were at the helm as Cooper gunned the 200 horsepower engine to full capacity, a move that caused the boat to lurch to the left and capsize.

Investigator James Manson concluded that this move is what caused the tragedy.
The boaters should not have tied the anchor to a transom eye-bracket at the back of the boat. And they should not have used the boat's 200 horsepower engine to try and free the anchor. When they did, the boaters did not leave enough slack in the rope, to compensate for the rough sea conditions that evening, and they essentially pulled the vessel into the Gulf of Mexico, causing everyone to go overboard.

All but Smith had been drinking, and Cooper had never taken a boater safety course, the report says. Anyone who takes a boater safety course is told never to anchor a vessel at the rear of a boat but rather at the bow, Manson said at a news conference in Tampa this afternoon.

Had Cooper lived, he would have been charged criminally because of how he reacted to the circumstances, Manson said.

If an anchor gets stuck, one tactic is to circle the boat to free it as it is tied to the bow, Manson said. Another tactic is to simply cut the line and replace the anchor later. "They would have been able to head right back in," Manson said.

It was also ill-advised to take a boat only 21-feet long 50 miles out in rough seas, Manson said. In his interview with Schuyler, Schuyler said it was turbulent as they headed out from the Seminole boat ramp in Clearwater, and Schuyler got sick on the way. The men were dressed for the weather, in sweatsuits and jackets, and one or two were wearing knit pullover scully hats.

After the boat capsized, at about 5:30 p.m., Bleakley then retrieved life vests from under the boat, plus a large cooler to be used for flotation. Bleakley used the cooler while the other three used the vests.

Manson said at the press conference Bleakley found some flares but they were soaked and useless. There was no VHF radio on board, Manson also said. There were cell phones that had been placed in plastic bags but efforts to retrieve them were unsuccessful, the report says.

The four struggled to stay on top of the boat's hull throughout the night, the report states. The next morning, at 5:30, it appeared Cooper was succumbing to hypothermia, and he became unresponsive. Schuyler said he and Bleakley tried to revive him but couldn't. Bleakley took Cooper's life vest.

An hour later, Smith appeared to succumb to hypothermia, the report states. Smith took his own life vest off and drifted away, the report states.

Bleakley managed to hang on for roughly another 24 hours, Schuyler told Manson in an interview in the intensive care unit at Tampa General Hospital. But then Bleakley showed the same symptoms the other two had and removed his life jacket.

Schuyler said he held onto Bleakley as Bleakley died. Then Bleakley drifted away from the boat. Within hours, the U.S. Coast Guard found Schuyler sitting on the hull holding the propeller, and he was rescued, 42 hours after the boat capsized.

The U.S. Coast Guard continued searching for the other three until the following evening, even though the 19-hour time period for surviving hypothermia had long expired.

 ****************************************************
**********************************************************
From the detective's interview on CNN - here are some major safety points that they mentioned:
-- Get an EPIRB that automatically sends when wet

-- File a detailed float plan and do not deter from it

-- Have enough anchor rope for the water you are fishing in

-- If a boat capsizes - it is futile to try to right it by hand - don't waste your energy

-- Have flares that can function when wet

-- Check and use the weather report prudently

-- Do NOT use the stern or side cleat to break a stuck anchor free, especially in rough, deep water. This caused the boat to capsize.

-- The captain/owner is always responsible.

-- The detective said that a 21 ft boat should not have gone out there in those conditions. (when they left port)


Offline williamlayton

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Re: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2009, 02:13:37 AM »
Anchoring was my concern from the beginning.
Anchors are cheap in comparison tothe boat and life.
I have left an anchor in order to leave an unsafe situation. They could have possibly gotten in without the anchor.
There are many deaths each year around our bays and offshore because of hung up anchors and folks who didn't cut or have the means to cut the line loose.
It is sad and points to the other culprit, inexperience.
Those boys could have been safe if they knew what too do.
Blessings
TEXAS, by GOD

Offline Spanky

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Re: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2009, 06:13:59 AM »
Anchoring was my concern from the beginning.
Anchors are cheap in comparison tothe boat and life.
I have left an anchor in order to leave an unsafe situation. They could have possibly gotten in without the anchor.
There are many deaths each year around our bays and offshore because of hung up anchors and folks who didn't cut or have the means to cut the line loose.
It is sad and points to the other culprit, inexperience.
Those boys could have been safe if they knew what too do.
Blessings


Nice post William.
It points out the error of their ways without being disrespectful to the lost men. ;)



Spanky

Offline Cabin4

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Re: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.
« Reply #4 on: March 29, 2009, 06:41:36 AM »
Based on historical precedence, I don't think any of this should be posted. Because pointing out what went wrong in plain English, their inexperience and the obvious laps in oversight & self responsibility is the same as spitting on their graves. However, since the horse is already out of the barn on this, let’s all insist that we all make this as nice-nice and as mushy as possible. Because as self sufficient realists, we should be incapable of telling the real truth so it’s as unclear as possible to those who can learn from acts of gross negligence. In addition, glossing over the facts with nice words will all help us get to heaven and it will allow us all to feel better about our own acts of gross negligence & irresponsibility.

Peace, love, diversion & fabrication.
C4
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Offline Tommyt

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Re: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.
« Reply #5 on: March 29, 2009, 07:44:31 AM »
Based on historical precedence, I don't think any of this should be posted. Because pointing out what went wrong in plain English, their inexperience and the obvious laps in oversight & self responsibility is the same as spitting on their graves. However, since the horse is already out of the barn on this, let’s all insist that we all make this as nice-nice and as mushy as possible. Because as self sufficient realists, we should be incapable of telling the real truth so it’s as unclear as possible to those who can learn from acts of gross negligence. In addition, glossing over the facts with nice words will all help us get to heaven and it will allow us all to feel better about our own acts of gross negligence & irresponsibility.

Peace, love, diversion & fabrication.
C4


You spend way to much time on-line ......go talk to someone with Blood Flowing in their system
Reality could be Shocking hold on

Offline Cabin4

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Re: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.
« Reply #6 on: March 29, 2009, 08:54:47 AM »
Based on historical precedence, I don't think any of this should be posted. Because pointing out what went wrong in plain English, their inexperience and the obvious laps in oversight & self responsibility is the same as spitting on their graves. However, since the horse is already out of the barn on this, let’s all insist that we all make this as nice-nice and as mushy as possible. Because as self sufficient realists, we should be incapable of telling the real truth so it’s as unclear as possible to those who can learn from acts of gross negligence. In addition, glossing over the facts with nice words will all help us get to heaven and it will allow us all to feel better about our own acts of gross negligence & irresponsibility.

Peace, love, diversion & fabrication.
C4


You spend way to much time on-line ......go talk to someone with Blood Flowing in their system
Reality could be Shocking hold on

I will repeat, because someone decided that telling to truth in plain speak is somehow not reality. That, is a very interesting perspective on truth telling.


Based on historical precedence, I don't think any of this should be posted. Because pointing out what went wrong in plain English, their inexperience and the obvious laps in oversight & self responsibility is the same as spitting on their graves. However, since the horse is already out of the barn on this, let’s all insist that we all make this as nice-nice and as mushy as possible. Because as self sufficient realists, we should be incapable of telling the real truth so it’s as unclear as possible to those who can learn from acts of gross negligence. In addition, glossing over the facts with nice words will all help us get to heaven and it will allow us all to feel better about our own acts of gross negligence & irresponsibility.

Peace, love, diversion & fabrication.

Avery Hayden Wallace
Obama Administration: A corrupt criminal enterprise of bold face liars.
The States formed the Union. The Union did not form the States. States Rights!
GET US OUT OF THE UN. NO ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT!
S.A.S.S/NRA Life Member/2nd Amendment Foundation
CCRKBA/Gun Owners of America
California Rifle & Pistol Association
Ron Paul Was Right!
Long Live the King! #3

Offline Spanky

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Re: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.
« Reply #7 on: March 29, 2009, 10:48:46 AM »
C4,

There is no need for you to jump in and start running your mouth on this thread. We all know how you feel from your previous thread on the subject.
No badmouthing, no name calling, just leave it alone.


Spanky

Offline beerbelly

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Re: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.
« Reply #8 on: March 29, 2009, 10:54:16 AM »
The guy is just telling the truth!
          Beerbelly

Offline Cabin4

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Re: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.
« Reply #9 on: March 29, 2009, 12:37:40 PM »
C4,

There is no need for you to jump in and start running your mouth on this thread. We all know how you feel from your previous thread on the subject.
No badmouthing, no name calling, just leave it alone.


Spanky

Spanky,

Let's not get all too high on the horse now. No one’s name calling. I am a bit surprised that you would write about no name calling. If you remember, I was on the receiving end of your repeated name calling on another thread. Unprovoked I might add.

I'm entitled to my opinion and at times, it might not meet your approval. Things can go that way around here sometimes.
Avery Hayden Wallace
Obama Administration: A corrupt criminal enterprise of bold face liars.
The States formed the Union. The Union did not form the States. States Rights!
GET US OUT OF THE UN. NO ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT!
S.A.S.S/NRA Life Member/2nd Amendment Foundation
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Long Live the King! #3

Offline Spanky

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Re: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.
« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2009, 12:50:34 PM »

Spanky,

Let's not get all too high on the horse now. No one’s name calling. I am a bit surprised that you would write about no name calling. If you remember, I was on the receiving end of your repeated name calling on another thread. Unprovoked I might add.

I'm entitled to my opinion and at times, it might not meet your approval. Things can go that way around here sometimes.

You're right... I did call you names in the last thread.
I apologize for that. It was bad manners and I'm sorry.
You gave sound advice in the last thread.
Let's just leave the negativity in the past and move on. :)


Spanky

Offline williamlayton

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Re: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.
« Reply #11 on: March 29, 2009, 03:05:36 PM »
Shucks, we all get red eared from time too time.
There aint nobody here i would not coffee with. Well assuming you ain't one of them that don't coffee. :-*
Blessings
TEXAS, by GOD

Offline Cabin4

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Re: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.
« Reply #12 on: March 29, 2009, 04:09:49 PM »

Spanky,

Let's not get all too high on the horse now. No one’s name calling. I am a bit surprised that you would write about no name calling. If you remember, I was on the receiving end of your repeated name calling on another thread. Unprovoked I might add.

I'm entitled to my opinion and at times, it might not meet your approval. Things can go that way around here sometimes.

You're right... I did call you names in the last thread.
I apologize for that. It was bad manners and I'm sorry.
You gave sound advice in the last thread.
Let's just leave the negativity in the past and move on. :)


Spanky


I will go along with that. Moving on is always a good thing.

C4
 :)
Avery Hayden Wallace
Obama Administration: A corrupt criminal enterprise of bold face liars.
The States formed the Union. The Union did not form the States. States Rights!
GET US OUT OF THE UN. NO ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT!
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Offline mirage1988

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Re: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.
« Reply #13 on: March 29, 2009, 07:47:49 PM »
When I was in high school I knew a guy that was always right, no matter the topic. Whenever we had a discussion, the little guy was always right. Seems that the pipsqueaks have to keep yelling to be heard? We called it the "little man syndrome".

  Anyone here heard of it?

Offline Cabin4

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Re: FWC report says improper anchoring one cause of tragic boat accident.
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2009, 05:09:24 AM »
Mirage,

There’s a number of syndromes out there. If I were you, I would not get entwined in trying to provide psychological  analysis of people’s motivations or characterize their physical attributes. For all you know, a person here may be suffering from cerebral palsy,their body has shrunk to 3 feet tall their wheel chair bound. Or maybe there 6 feet 3 inches and go 225 and keep themselves physically fit. You just never know on that aspect.

The other point is many folks here actually have real life experience, formal training or formal education. They use this forum and others like it discuss those topics that they posses interest in or have knowledge in so others can perhaps benefit. There are always those folks that have no clue on the technical merits of a particular topic so they typically resort to posting "side swipes" and name calling as their method of operation.

Just a recommendation, but it’s probably best that you hold back on these type of psychological analysis posts because if you don’t, you may subject yourself to being analyzed as well. And of course, their analysis could be spot on, or way off base. Who knows.
Avery Hayden Wallace
Obama Administration: A corrupt criminal enterprise of bold face liars.
The States formed the Union. The Union did not form the States. States Rights!
GET US OUT OF THE UN. NO ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT!
S.A.S.S/NRA Life Member/2nd Amendment Foundation
CCRKBA/Gun Owners of America
California Rifle & Pistol Association
Ron Paul Was Right!
Long Live the King! #3