Boating accident survivor to pen book about experience

T.J. Cowell, Alestle Sports Reporter

By : T.J. Cowell, Alestle Sports Reporter

Normally I would write about fishing or something related to the outdoors. But for this week, I have decided to branch out a little bit from the ordinary. A few days ago, while reading through my own outdoors newspaper source, I came across a column about Nick Schuyler.

On March 1, 2009, a little over a year ago, Schuyler was reported as one of the four men missing after their 21-foot fishing boat was reported lost in Clearwater, Fla. The U.S. Coast Guard searched for Schuyler and his comrades for a few days before eventually surrendering their search. A private search of the missing quartet’s family and friends was also organized.

Just when all hope had about been lost, the vessel was found far from shore, wrecked and overturned. Upon finding the missing watercraft, Schuyler was seen clinging to it for life. His shipmates and friends were all missing and are now presumed dead.

The three men who have lost their lives in this incident include Oakland Raider linebacker Marquis Cooper, free-agent NFL defensive lineman Corey Smith and William Bleakly. Bleakly was a teammate of Schuyler’s, both played football at South Florida University.

It has now been confirmed that Schuyler will be reminiscence the experiences of the tragedy in a book. Although I do not do much reading outside of the sports page, I might actually check this book out when it becomes available. In this book, Schuyler will recall the past memories of his friends, those he lost. Schuyler is also expected to talk about what exactly happened the day of the accident. The book will be titled “Not Without Hope”.