The investigation of the boating accident Marquis Cooper, Corey Smith and Will Bleakley has been concluded and the cause of the accident was improper anchoring.
In the report that was released today it was determined that boat capsized when they tried to use the throttle to dislodge the anchor. It was a combination of things really, the improper anchoring, the lack of slack on the anchor line for water conditions.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commision report: The four men attempted to lift the anchor at about 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 and were unable to get it to release from the bottom of the Gulf. Bleakley suggested they use the motor to pull it loose, according to the account of Schuyler, who said he used a watch with a light to keep track of the time throughout the event.
The full report and photos of the recovered boat are here.
It's just so sad that these men who were fathers, sons, brothers and friends died. Now that the shock of the situation has worn off, we again send our condolences to the families.
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