Marine Safety Office New Orleans

U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: March 1, 2004

Contact:  Lt. Cmdr. Greg Depinet
(504) 589-4240 or PA1 Jaime Bigelow (252) 207-4110

U.S. COAST GUARD CONVENES FORMAL INVESTIGATION

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard is scheduled to convene a formal investigation on Tuesday to gather information into the collision between the offshore vessel Lee III and motor vessel Zim Mexico III.  The fact finding inquiry, which is presided over by a one-person board, will take place in the Loyola Room at the Hyatt Regency Hotel (next to the Superdome) on Poydras Street beginning at 1 p.m. Tuesday and will continue through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.  The investigation will be open to the public and the media.

Due to the solemnity of the investigation, media are asked to designate one pooled video camera and one pooled still photographer for the opening statement at the start of the board.  Cameras and other electronic recording devices will not be allowed in the Loyola Room for the remainder of the proceedings, however, reporters will be permitted to attend and take notes. 

A Coast Guard formal investigation is a fact-finding inquiry where all testimony is recorded and taken under oath.  All information gathered from the investigation will be compiled and organized into an official report and sent to Coast Guard Headquarters for review. 

Any media interested in attending the inquiry are asked to call Petty Officer 1^st Class Jaime Bigelow at (252) 207-4110. 

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