Six crew injured when workboat strikes wellhead

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

(NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 11) — Coast Guard crews rescue nine people after a workboat struck and became lodged on a wellhead near Venice, La., seven miles north of Main Pass.

Four HH-65C rescue helicopter crews from Air Station New Orleans medevaced six people from the workboat who were injured. Four men were flown to Air Station New Orleans where they were met by ambulances and two others were flown directly to West Jefferson Memorial Hospital.

Two rescue boat crews from Station Venice transported two men to shore and the captain is still on scene with the workboat, along with a rescue boat crew from Station Venice.

At approximately 5:10 a.m. The Coast Guard was alerted to the emergency by the captain of the the Lady Marie by way of marine radio. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans launched rescue crews from Air Station New Orleans and Station Venice.

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans is conducting an investigation.

By Professional Mariner Staff