Coast Guard assists rescue of 42 from burning research vessel 100 miles south of Grand Isle on Monday, Oct. 12
The Coast Guard said Monday, Oct. 12, that 42 people had left a burning research vessel in life rafts about 100 miles south of Grand Isle and been transferred to nearby good Samaritan vessels, while aircrews remained on scene to account for all personnel.
NEW ORLEANS: The U.S. Coast Guard said Monday, Oct. 12, it was assisting with the rescue of 42 people from a research vessel burning about 100 miles south of Grand Isle, Louisiana.
Those aboard had disembarked onto life rafts and had been safely transferred to nearby good Samaritan vessels, a Coast Guard Heartland spokesperson said in a brief statement reported by WVUE. Grand Isle Police Chief Chris Hernandez described the good Samaritan vessels as a pair of oil field vessels.
Coast Guard aircrews remained on scene “to help account for all personnel,” the agency said at 1:08 p.m. Central time.
Hernandez said the stricken ship was a research vessel of unknown size, and that it was being assisted by the USCGC Yellowfin, an 87-foot cutter based out of Charleston, S.C. The name and type of the vessel were not immediately disclosed.
WGNO, in a report posted at 1:59 p.m. Central time on Monday, likewise reported that 42 people were being rescued from the vessel fire 100 miles south of Grand Isle, that individuals had entered life rafts and been taken to safety aboard nearby good Samaritan boats, and that Coast Guard aircrews remained on scene.
Neither report on Monday afternoon described any injuries, and the Coast Guard account was still being completed as aircrews worked to account for everyone who had been aboard. No cause for the fire had been given.
This is a developing story and will be updated as the Coast Guard releases more information.
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