Grand Isle capsize: Hunt for passengers as boat flips in US and 75mph winds hit coast – World News
A frantic search is under way with people missing after a vessel capsized amid 75 mph winds and heavy storms near New Orleans.
The US coast guard said it had been notified of a capsized boat about 7 miles offshore of Port Fourchon.
There are currently two response vessels from Station Grand Isle at the scene and nearby ships are helping with rescue efforts.
According to local reports at least one boat overturned after strong winds battered the coast near New Orleans and Louisiana.
It is not confirmed how many people were aboard the lift vessel which capsized but local reports say there were 18 people.
The Coast Guard said it was searching the water and six people have so far been rescued.
(Image: Facebook)
(Image: Facebook)
Petty Officer Jonathan Lally told NPR: “Coast Guard and multiple good Samaritan vessels are on scene about 8 miles south of Grand Isle.
“We’re still trying to get the actual number of people who were on the boat.”
He said a “microburst of severe weather” may have caused the craft to flip over.
According to KATC the crew of a 154-foot Fast Response Cutter arrived on scene within half and hour and rescued one person from the vessel.
Another response boat from Coast Guard Grand Isle rescued a second person, and good Samaritan vessels who were at the scene rescued four others from the water.
(Image: Bruce J Simon/Facebook)
(Image: Facebook)
SEACOR Marine, which owns the ship, told ABC News that the lift boat involved is the SEACOR Power and is used in oil and gas exploration.
The company reportedly did not say how many people were on board.
In a statement the US Coast Guard said it had received reports of an emergency beacon at 4.30pm local time.
(Image: US Coastguard)
(Image: US Coastguard)
They went on to respond to the 129-foot commercial lift vessel eight miles south of Port Fourchon.
The area had been battling fierce storms before the boat capsized.
