Nick Schuyler, a former University of South Florida football player, survived a tragic boating accident in 2009 that claimed the lives of his three friends. Schuyler and his companions, including former USF player William Bleakley and NFL veterans Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith, embarked on a fishing trip from the coast of Clearwater when their boat capsized in stormy waters. Schuyler endured 43 harrowing hours in the Gulf of Mexico, clinging to the boat’s engine mount before being rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard described the incident as one of the fiercest storms to hit the Gulf in 25 years, with waves reaching up to 14 feet and wind gusts soaring to 50 mph. The story of Schuyler’s survival and the loss of his friends is now being told in two films set to premiere this year. “Four Down,” a documentary directed by Steven Cantor, will debut at the Sunscreen Film Festival in St.
Petersburg on Thursday. The film offers multiple perspectives, including accounts from Schuyler, the Coast Guard personnel who rescued him, and his family. “I’m hoping that people feel like we respectfully told the story.
That we honored the memories of these three guys, and that we highlighted the unbelievable efforts of the Coast Guard,” said Rick French, a producer of the documentary.
A survivor’s harrowing ordeal
In addition to the documentary, a feature film titled “Not Without Hope,” based on Schuyler’s best-selling book of the same name, is slated for release in September.
The movie will star Josh Duhamel and Zachary Levi. Schuyler expressed mixed emotions about the films, stating, “It’s been a long ride. So, it’s 16 years later.
I’ve got mixed emotions. The story needed to be told, and we did that over 15 years ago through a book. But it’s pretty special.”
He hopes viewers will take away a powerful message about perseverance: “No matter what, you can’t give up.
You’ve got to move forward, and you’ll do whatever it takes to do that.”
The premiere of “Four Down” will take place at the Sundial AMC Theaters in St. Petersburg at 7 p.m. on Thursday, with more than 80 members of the Coast Guard expected to attend in uniform. Schuyler will also be present to answer audience questions following the screening.
