Whats up with the football players in the Gulf

[Reel Therapy]

I was reading they were on a 21' boat, not sure what kind, 35 miles out. Anyway it got rough and they dropped the anchor.

[gmoore]

One guy rescued sitting on overturned boat. the two players and another guy are still missing.
gary

[Persistence2]

My guess is they were hoping to ride it out and thus threw the anchor? Does not look good for the other three still missing. What a shame...

[Reel Therapy]

Was it a surprise weather front? Did they not check the forecast? I would think dropping the anchor in heavy seas would be the last thing you would do. Sounds like inexperience. Either way it's a real shame for the surviving families and friends.

[REEL HARD]

What really amazes me is that an NFL player actually owns a 21 foot boat. Then it really amazes me that he would load it up with 4 large football players and go that far offshore.

[Nummer1]

Dropping the anchor in heavy seas would swamp the boat, disable the electronics or motor. I,ve had my 16-6 Whaler in 7'+ seas with about 6" of water on the deck. i would pull the drain plug and keep moving, watch the wave breaks and keep moving using throttle to control the positioning. Sad but typical, preperation and experience are your only chance. When things go wrong on the water it is often very quick. A handheld VHF could have made the difference not to mention epirb or strobes. Once in the water, tether together and to the boat (unsinkable type).

[hornpointlaw]

That boat was a 21 Everglades, I just heard they were planning on calling off the search for the other three.

[jgray]

I think the boat was a 21 ft. Everglades which have a good reputation. I'm also surprised someone making NFL money was out in a rig that small.

[LECTRICFISHRMAN]

News reports they were chumming @ anchor when it got rough they went to pull anchor & were hit by a rouge wave then flipped. Tried to right the boat , couldn't so they went under the boat to the air pocket got life jackets on & tried to wait it out ? The rest is still playing out . Does seem a 21 ftr wouldn't leave much room to fish w/ 4 big boys onboard. Prayers to their families ...:bigangel:

[Persistence2]

Wow...what a shame. Always tough when you hear about stuff like this

[jgray]

I saw a special on the Spike channel the other night that ranked the most dangerous sport in the world as fishing due to the number of fishing related casualties annually. Hitting submerged objects, drowning and alcohol were the most common factors in these incidents.

[gmoore]

CG officially called off the search
gary

[goldman]

doubled up

[goldman]

:rolleyes:
I saw a special on the Spike channel the other night that ranked the most dangerous sport in the world as fishing due to the number of fishing related casualties annually. Hitting submerged objects, drowning and alcohol were the most common factors in these incidents.

Don't say this too loudy...the insurance companies might hear and jack us all:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Not like they already dont.

[A Disciple]

I have so many questions about this incident. How do we avoid situations like this ourselves? 4 men on that boat would have been pretty comfy fishing a wreck at anchor. I dont have an expensive EPIRB on my 24 ftr. One in ten guys will wear a PFD while fishing. It sounds like the anchor swamped the boat but it was adrift afterwards? How? They did have a float plan. Someone did have knowledge of where they were planning to fish. No other boats on this spot? I hope the Details come out so that we can learn from this tragedy.
I Pray for the families of the lost and a special prayer for the lone survivor will relive this experience for the rest of his life. We so often like to place blame on this one or that one or hold ourselves above making mistakes. Let us seek understanding so that we who venture forth doing what we love may do so in a more safe way. Let us all remember that only by the grace of God do we go to sea and return home again.

[cuhollow]

They had played in the NFL a couple games but I don’t think they were making huge money in the NFL. News says the boat’s owner loved fishing more than football so I doubt inexperience was the cause. The boat swamped while attempting to pull the anchor - not after throwing it out. A 21’ boat is probably rated for 8 people and should safely handle 4 in most conditions. They were aware of the forecast and were hoping to fish ahead of the rougher weather forecast for Saturday evening and Sunday. They were all able to get their life jackets on after swamping. A sad story…..

[terps_96]

expensive or not, everybody needs an epirb to go that far off, and if you don't have one or a buddy boat with one then don't go