Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Oct. 31, 2009

Contact:  Public Affairs
(618) 225-9008

Coast Guard rescues 3 from sunk tug, 1 still missing

MOBILE, Ala. — The Coast Guard has rescued three people after the 70-foot tug boat they were aboard sank in Mobile Bay, Saturday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a call at approximately 3 a.m. that the Capt. Larry Barkins had partially sank outside of the navigational channel near the Fowl River with four people aboard. Watchstanders immediately issued an urgent marine information broadcast requesting mariners in the area keep a look out and assist in the search if possible. An MH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans was launched and at approximately 5 a.m., rescued three people who had stayed with the tugboat after it sank. They were taken to Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Ala.

The survivors stated that the fourth crewmember had gotten in the tug's skiff (a 14-foot white aluminum boat with no engine). 

Currently searching are:

• A search and rescue boat from Coast Guard Station Dauphin Island, Ala.
  
• An HC-144 Ocean Sentry from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile 
• An MH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans
  
• A sheriffs boat from the Mobile County Sheriffs Office

Additionally, the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Hawk, an 87-foot patrol boat homported in Carabelle, Fla., has been diverted from a routine patrol in the area to assist in the search.

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.

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