The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a person in the water in Vermilion Bay, a spokesperson says.
The Coast Guard searched approximately 1782 square miles continuously over 25 hours.
"After an exhaustive search the Coast Guard and local partners were unable to locate the missing mariner," said Lt. Cmdr. Michelle Ferguson, the search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans. "The decision to suspend a search is never easy and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones during this very difficult time."
On Friday, we reported that Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agents were searching for a person in the water in Vermilion Bay
The incident happened two miles offshore of Cypremort Point.
The LDWF, U.S. Coast Guard and Vermilion Parish Sheriff's office were searching for the missing boater.
The Coast Guard at the time said they received a report at around midnight of a vessel with two passengers that was overdue to return home.
A Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter aircrew discovered the capsized vessel in Vermilion Bay, and located one survivor who swam to a nearby rig.
The survivor reportedly told the crew that the vessel had struck a submerged object, ejecting both passengers from the boat before capsizing.
The missing passenger is described as a 40-year-old caucasian male wearing khaki shorts and either white or grey shirt.
Involved in the search were:
- Coast Guard Station Grand Isle Special Purpose Craft-Shallow Water boatcrew
- Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter aircrew
- Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew
- Coast Guard Cutter Mako crew
- Coast Guard Air Auxiliary
- Customs and Border Patrol
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
- Vermilion Parish Sheriff Office
- St. Mary Parish Sheriff Office
- Iberia Parish Sheriff Office
More information on this case can be found here.
