NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard recovered one deceased person and continues to search for 12 missing people, Wednesday from a capsized commercial lift boat 8 miles south of Port Fourchon.
Coast Guard watchstanders received an emergency distress signal at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday from a commercial lift boat and then issued an urgent marine information broadcast. Multiple good Samaritan vessels responded.
Although the incident occurred on rough seas, officials said, the cause remains under investigation.
The pre-commissioned Coast Guard Cutter Glenn Harris arrived on scene within 30 minutes and rescued one person from the water. Multiple good Samaritan vessels rescued four people and a Coast Guard Station Grand Isle boatcrew rescued another.
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.”
