It’s become a race against time in the search for 12 missing people from an oil industry platform ship that capsized in the Gulf of Mexico. Coast Guard divers hope a break in stormy weather will give them an opportunity to reach the overturned ship's hull. The Coast Guard said before dawn Thursday that they're still trying to work out how to get inside the vessel. Six people were rescued alive and one body was found floating on the water in the continuing search.One person is dead, six people were rescued and a search for 12 others continues after a commercial boat capsized Tuesday off Louisiana's Port Fourchon in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the U.S. Coast Guard and parish officials. Despite bad weather conditions, which included 6-to 8-foot waves, the search continued Wednesday.Coast Guard rescue crews have searched more than 1,440 square miles, which is an area larger than the state of Rhode Island, during a combined search period of nearly 40 hours.“Our rescue crews have been diligently continuing the search and rescue efforts for the missing people from the capsized vessel,” said Capt. Will Watson, commander of Coast Guard Sector New Orleans. “When it comes to search and rescue, each case is dynamic and no single case is the same as the next. Anytime our Coast Guard crews head out for search and rescue, it is always our hope to safely bring those people back and reunite them with their friends and families.” “You can’t do this work if you’re not optimistic,” Watson said, when asked about the outlook for those who are still missing. “We’re giving it all we got.”The Coast Guard received an emergency alert with the boat's position at 4:30 p.m., and good Samaritan crews initially responded, the Coast Guard said in a news release.The search involved the help of four Coast Guard vessels, a Coast Guard helicopter and Coast Guard plane, in addition to four "good Samaritan vessels," the agency said. Watson said one person's body has been recovered. Good Samaritan vessels rescued four people from the water, a 154-foot Fast Response Coast Guard Cutter arrived within 30 minutes and rescued one person, and a 45-foot boat from the Coast Guard's Grant Isle station rescued another. The lift boat, called the Seacor Power, has "legs" that can reach the sea floor so the vessel becomes stationary to better perform oil and gas exploration functions, including lifting people and cargo to and from off-shore rigs. Watson said the company that owns the boat is handling next-of-kin notifications for the dead and missing. "We are deeply saddened by the news of the vessel capsizing and are working closely with the U.S. Cost Guard and local authorities to support all efforts to locate our valued team members and partners," Seacor Marine said in a statement. "We would like to thank the U.S. Coast Guard and good Samaritan vessels for their immediate response as well as the brave individuals who have further supported our search and rescue efforts. Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone involved."Watson said the vessel departed Port Fourchon about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Distress signals from good Samaritan vessels alerted authorities about the capsized lift boat about three hours later.
It’s become a race against time in the search for 12 missing people from an oil industry platform ship that capsized in the Gulf of Mexico.
Coast Guard divers hope a break in stormy weather will give them an opportunity to reach the overturned ship's hull.
The Coast Guard said before dawn Thursday that they're still trying to work out how to get inside the vessel. Six people were rescued alive and one body was found floating on the water in the continuing search.
One person is dead, six people were rescued and a search for 12 others continues after a commercial boat capsized Tuesday off Louisiana's Port Fourchon in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the U.S. Coast Guard and parish officials.
Despite bad weather conditions, which included 6-to 8-foot waves, the search continued Wednesday.
Coast Guard rescue crews have searched more than 1,440 square miles, which is an area larger than the state of Rhode Island, during a combined search period of nearly 40 hours.
“Our rescue crews have been diligently continuing the search and rescue efforts for the missing people from the capsized vessel,” said Capt. Will Watson, commander of Coast Guard Sector New Orleans. “When it comes to search and rescue, each case is dynamic and no single case is the same as the next. Anytime our Coast Guard crews head out for search and rescue, it is always our hope to safely bring those people back and reunite them with their friends and families.”
“You can’t do this work if you’re not optimistic,” Watson said, when asked about the outlook for those who are still missing. “We’re giving it all we got.”
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The Coast Guard received an emergency alert with the boat's position at 4:30 p.m., and good Samaritan crews initially responded, the Coast Guard said in a news release.
The search involved the help of four Coast Guard vessels, a Coast Guard helicopter and Coast Guard plane, in addition to four "good Samaritan vessels," the agency said. Watson said one person's body has been recovered.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Good Samaritan vessels rescued four people from the water, a 154-foot Fast Response Coast Guard Cutter arrived within 30 minutes and rescued one person, and a 45-foot boat from the Coast Guard's Grant Isle station rescued another.
The lift boat, called the Seacor Power, has "legs" that can reach the sea floor so the vessel becomes stationary to better perform oil and gas exploration functions, including lifting people and cargo to and from off-shore rigs. Watson said the company that owns the boat is handling next-of-kin notifications for the dead and missing.
"We are deeply saddened by the news of the vessel capsizing and are working closely with the U.S. Cost Guard and local authorities to support all efforts to locate our valued team members and partners," Seacor Marine said in a statement. "We would like to thank the U.S. Coast Guard and good Samaritan vessels for their immediate response as well as the brave individuals who have further supported our search and rescue efforts. Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone involved."
Watson said the vessel departed Port Fourchon about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Distress signals from good Samaritan vessels alerted authorities about the capsized lift boat about three hours later.
