Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: July 20, 2008

Contact:  Lt. Stephen Nutting
(504)846-5924

COAST GUARD SEARCHES FOR 2 MISSING CREWMEMBERS

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard is searching for two crewmembers from the freighter vessel Maratha Messenger who fell overboard while trying to raise an accommodation ladder at approximately 3:30 a.m. this morning in the vicinity of mile marker 54 on the Lower Mississippi River.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report from the master of the Maratha Messenger at approximately 3:30 a.m. stating that the two crewmembers had fallen overboard, and were not wearing life jackets.

The Coast Guard is working with the Plaquemines Port Authority and Louisiana Department of Fish and Wildlife to locate the missing crewmembers. Coast Guard assets searching include:

• A HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans
• A 41 foot utility boat from Coast Guard Station Venice
• A 41 foot utility boat from Coast Guard Station New Orleans
  

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U.S. Coast Guard - Saving lives since 1790