Update: Coast Guard ends search for person in water near Empire, Louisiana

united states coast guard

 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

Update: Coast Guard ends search for person in water near Empire, Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard ended its search for a person in the water near Empire, Louisiana, Wednesday.

Coast Guard crews searched over 1,761 square-nautical miles for over 31 hours but were unable to locate the missing man.

“Suspending a search is never easy and our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the missing person during this difficult time,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michelle Ferguson, a search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans. “Our multiple crews from various units and agencies searched diligently but, regrettably, were unable to locate the missing man.”

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at approximately 1:30 p.m. Monday of a sunken vessel approximately six nautical miles southwest of Empire, Louisiana.

The man’s boat was found sunk in the vicinity of Shell Island Bay, Louisiana.

Involved in the search were:

  • An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans
  • A 24-foot Special Purpose Craft—Shallow Water boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Venice
  • A 24-foot Special Purpose Craft—Shallow Water boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Grand Isle
  • The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish
  • An HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile
  • Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
  • Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office

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