The Coast Guard and good Samaritan vessels have helped rescue 15 people from a lift boat near Grand Isle today.
The Coast Guard was called at about 3:16 a.m. Sunday from a lift boat, Ram XVIII, which was taking on water about 23 nautical miles west of Southwest Pass. There were 15 souls on board.
Sector watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast, launched a Coast Guard Station Grand Isle 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew, and launched an MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter air crew.
A good Samaritan vessel, the Starfleet Guardian, rescued six people from the lift boat. The Station Grand Isle boat crew rescued the remaining 9 people from the vessel and transferred them to the Starfleet Guardian which took everyone to shore.
The master of the lift boat reported that the vessel had a 45-degree list and no power, causing the vessel to be unable to self-correct the list. During the time the vessel was still taking on water, a steel tank filled with soap fell over the side, causing a hazard to navigation. The lift boat has approximately 13,900 gallons of diesel onboard. There are currently no reports of discharge, Coast Guard officials said.
Members from Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Houma have plans to attend to the lift boat Sunday.
The cause is under investigation.
