Search for missing boaters suspended

ST. PETERSBURG - After three days, the Coast Guard is suspending the search for three boaters who remain missing in the Gulf of Mexico.

"We have extreme confidence that if there were any survivors on the surface of the water that we would have found them," offered Capt. Tim Close. "It's our intention that at sunset today, at about 6:30, we will suspend active search efforts."

The Coast Guard had been looking for the men since Saturday after they were reported overdue from a deep-sea fishing trip. But there has been no sign of Detroit Lions free-agent defensive end Corey Smith, Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper or former USF player Will Bleakley.

A fourth boater was found alive yesterday morning, riding atop the overturned boat about 40 miles off the coast of Clearwater. Nick Schuyler told investigators that the 21-foot craft overturned in rough weather some time on Saturday afternoon and everyone scrambled to put on life jackets.

At some point, three of the men became separated while Schuyler was able to remain with the boat.

Coast Guard officers notified the boaters' families this afternoon. None of the family members spoke publicly after that, but Capt. Close characterized the reaction as "upset."

The Coast Guard estimated that its crews had searched 24,000 square miles during 50 missions from the air and on the water.

Close discouraged any private attempts at a search in the area, which is 30 to 40 miles off the coast of Pinellas County.

"We don't want another search and rescue situation as a result of any good Samaritan efforts out there," he added.