Original Air Date:
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Guests:
Nick Schuyler, who survived the tragic boating accident off the coast of Clearwater, Florida last February, which took the lives of three men, including two NFL players.
Show Summary:
Just over one year after the tragic boating accident that took the lives of three young men, including two NFL players, the only survivor, Nick Schuyler sat down with Oprah to share his story. On a Saturday in February, 2009, Nick, Marquis Cooper from the Oakland Raiders, Corey Smith from the Detroit Lions, and Nick's best friend Will Bleakley went out for an innocent fishing trip off the coast of Clearwater, Florida. With bad weather approaching and a stuck anchor, Nick shared how the boat capsized and started the men on their nightmare journey. More than 43 hours later, Nick was rescued after finally being found by the Coast Guard, but the lives of his friends had been taken hours before from hypothermia.
Special Highlights:
This episode featured the following highlights:
- After getting seasick at the start of the trip, Nick put on a ski jacket which may have been what saved his life.
- One by one his three companions on the boat were taken by hypothermia and the force of the waves from the storm, though Nick shared he did his best to help save each one of his friends.
- While Nick thought his own end might be near while waiting to be rescued on the overturned boat, he never gave up hope.
- The family members of Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith and concerned that Nick is using the tragedy of their loss to make a profit with his book. He stated that money is not a priority and he wanted to tell the story accurately.
What to Take Away from the Show:
After watching this Oprah episode that detailed the events of such a tragic two days last year, there were many lessons to take away from the show. The most obvious information to take away was provided by the Coast Guard and included the basics of boat safety procedures and extra precautions that can be taken before going out in open water. The other, more subtle point to be aware of, was taken from Nick and the families of those lost lack of real, honest communication about that day in 2009 and the loss that everyone experienced. In there is anything to take away from the pain of these families, it is to make a point to share things when they need to be spoken, even if you don't quite know what to say.
Products Featured in This Episode:
Nick Schuyler - 'Not Without Hope'
William Morrow & Co
Nick Schuyler's book Not Without Hope, released in March of 2010, describes the events of the days in February 2009 that began as a casual fishing trip with friends and turned into a nightmare that took the lives of two NFL players and Nick's best friend.
