Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: July 31, 2008

Contact:  Lt.j.g. Christopher Aument
(504) 393-6032

COAST GUARD RESCUES EIGHT FROM GROUNDED VESSEL 

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard rescued eight people from a 14-foot airboat in St. Bernard Parish near Big Mar early Thursday morning. 

Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans was notified at 1:30 a.m. about the grounded boat with eight people aboard.  The vessel set out in the afternoon with two adults and three children and became stuck in shallow water.  

St. Bernard Sherriff's Office launched another airboat to assist but was unable to get close enough to complete a safe transfer. Three members of the Sherriff's Office stayed behind with the grounded boat. 

Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans launched an HH-65C Dolphin helicopter to rescue the people.  The aircrew successfully hoisted all eight people and transported them safely to Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans.

 
A crewmember from Coast Guard Air Station New Olreans lowers
a rescue basket from a HH-65C rescue helicopter, to eight stranded boaters
Thursday, July 31, 2008 after the vessel they
were aboard became grounded in St. Bernard Parish.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Isreal Parker)

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.