Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Dec. 28, 2007

Contact:  PA3 Jaclyn Young            (618) 225-9008

COAST GUARD RESPONDING TO DISTRESS CALL 

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard is responding to a distress call received today from an offshore supply vessel located approximately 75 miles south of Grand Isle, La.

A watchstander from Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received the distress call at 4:30 a.m. via marine radio reporting that the vessel was taking on water with six people onboard.

The Coast Guard launched the Coast Guard Cutter Sturgeon, an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in Grand Isle, La.

An HH-65C rescue helicopter crew from Air Station New Orleans is unable to launch due to dense fog but is standing by until weather conditions improve.

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U.S. Coast Guard - Saving lives since 1790