Coast Guard rescues lift boat crew in Gulf

The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(NEW ORLEANS) — The Coast Guard rescued four crewmembers aboard a lift boat, Superior Trust, as it became unstable near Southwest Pass, La., on Wednesday.

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watch standers received a call at 3:19 a.m. reporting one of Superior Trust’s legs failed and made contact with a natural gas platform’s walkway, resulting in approximately 10 gallons of oil discharge.

Coast Guard Station Venice launched a 45-foot response boat-medium boat crew at 3:36 a.m. The boat crew arrived on scene at 4:30 a.m. and safely transported the crew of Superior Trust back to Coast Guard Station Venice.

Coast Guard cutter Brant crewmembers arrived on scene at 10:41 a.m. to monitor Superior Trust. Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 air crew conducted an overflight.

Superior Energy is developing a salvage plan to recover Superior Trust and has a pollution cleanup company on standby.

I.G. Petroleum LLC is deploying a vessel to survey the damage to the platform and begin repairs.

There were no reported injuries.

By Professional Mariner Staff