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Office of External Affairs |
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| News Release |
Date: Aug. 12, 2009 |
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Coast Guard saves 6 from capsized vessel, locates body of possible 7th passenger |
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MOBILE, Ala. — The Coast Guard rescued six of seven people after their vessel capsized in the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday. A body was found in the pilot house of vessel, and has been turned over to local authorities for identification and next of kin notifications. Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report at approximately 3:30 p.m. from the captain of the off shore supply vessel Fighting Chicken that a 21-foot recreational vessel had capsized 27 miles south of Petit Bois Island, Miss. Sector Mobile immediately launched the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Coho, homeported in Panama City, Fl., an MH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter and crew from Air Station New Orleans, and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry rescue plane and crew from Aviation Training Center, Mobile, Ala. to assist in the search and rescue. Four survivors were picked up by the Fighting Chicken and later transferred to the Coho. Two additional survivors were found on a nearby oil rig by the crew of the rescue helicopter and hoisted into the helicopter and taken to Gulfport Regional Airport where local emergency medical services were standing by. The rescue helicopter and crew returned to the scene to continue the search for the missing person. A Sea Tow vessel with assistance from the Coho, helped right the capsized vessel. A body was found in the pilot house and has been turned over to local authorities for identification and next of kin notifications. The condition of those rescued is unknown. The incident is under investigation.
### Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
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