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Release date: Dec. 12, 2003 |
| Release: 155-03 |
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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U.S. COAST GUARD, GOOD SAMARITANS RESCUE 2 |
NEW ORLEANS -- The Coast Guard, local police and good Samaritans coordinated efforts to rescue two men who fell into the water in the vicinity of Bayou Chauvin, about 50 miles southwest of New Orleans Thursday evening.
Alvin Delaune Jr., 31, and Erick Porter, 32, both of Houma, La., fell into the water when their 14-foot aluminum boat capsized after taking on water at about 9:10 p.m. Thursday.
The Terrebone Parish Sheriff's Office contacted the Coast Guard and requested a helicopter crew to help locate the men who reportedly were experiencing symptoms of hypothermia, said Deputy Tyson Savoy, of the sheriff's office.
Search and rescue coordinators with the Coast Guard and a rescue aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans helped Terrebone Parish sheriff's and good Samaritans find the two men near a frequented duck blind. The men were then transported to Terrebone General Hospital in stable condition, said Savoy.
In this instance, the only form of communication the survivors had was a cell phone. Although they had life jackets onboard, only one survivor was able to put one on in the water. The Coast Guard strongly encourages boaters to not rely on cell phones as a means of emergency communication. The service recommends a VHF-FM marine radio, Coast Guard-approved life jackets, flares, sound-producing devices such as a horn or a whistle and a fire extingusher. Boaters should also ensure that their bilge pumps are in working condition.
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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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