Release No. 114-03
NEW ORLEANS – The 41 people aboard an offshore drilling rig that collapsed off the Mississippi-Louisiana coast this afternoon have been rescued.
Five people were injured in the accident and were taken by New Orleans-based Coast Guard helicopters to Gulfport Regional Airport for further transfer to local hospitals. The extent of the injuries is unknown.
Three commercial vessels rescued the 36 remaining survivors and are transporting them to Venice, La. The supply vessel LCD picked up 27, the crew boat David McCall picked up six, and the crew boat Brazos Express picked up six people.
The rig, Parker 14 J, an 85-foot jack-up rig owned by Parker USA Drilling Co., based in New Iberia, La., collapsed at about 3:20 p.m. in 40 feet of water in an area known as Chandeleur Block 27. There is reportedly 6,100 gallons of diesel fuel on board the rig, however there have not yet been any reports of pollution.
Coast Guard marine investigators on scene reported that the rig is partially submerged, however the exact cause of the accident remains unknown and will be investigated by the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office New Orleans.
The rescue response included: two Coast Guard helicopters from New Orleans; a jet and helicopter from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, Ala.; a rescue boat from Coast Guard Station Gulfport, Miss.; and the three commercial vessels.
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The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.
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