Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: April 13, 2008

Contact:  Lt. Maria Roerick
(504) 393-6032

COAST GUARD RESCUES MAN FROM BONNET CARRE SPILLWAY 

NEW ORLEANS  - The Coast Guard rescued a man  today in the Bonnet Carre Spillway after the canoe he was aboard became stranded by the strong current.

The man aboard a canoe had fallen off and was standing in shallow water bracing it against the current when a passing motorist noticed the him in distress and contacted police, who contacted Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans.

A HH-65C rescue helicopter and crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans launched to assist the boater.  The boater was rescued from the strong current and transported to Louis Armstrong International Airport.

The Coast Guard urges that, when flooded, the Bonnet Carre Spillway serves as emergency diversion of the Mississippi River, not a recreation area and all boaters should wear their life jackets at all times. 

U.S. Coast Guard - Saving lives since 1790