The U.S. Coast Guard and good samaritan offshore supply vessel rescued 15 people from a listing lift boat near Grand Isle, Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at approximately 3:16 a.m. from the 134-foot liftboat, Ram XVIII, that it was taking on water approximately 23 nautical miles west of Southwest Pass, Louisiana, with 15 people aboard.
Sector watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast to nearby vessels and launched 45-foot response boat medium a Coast Guard Station Grand Isle.
The offshore supply vessel, Starfleet Guardian, responded and embarked 6 people from the Ram XVIII, while the Coast Guard boatcrew embarked the remaining 9 people and transferred them to the OSV to took them to shore.
The master of the liftboat later reported to the Coast Guard that the vessel had a 45-degree list and no power, causing the vessel to be unable to self correct the list.
During the time the vessel was still taking on water, a steel tank containing soap fell over the side, which the Coast Guard warns could create hazard to navigation. Sector watchstanders issued an urgent safety marine information broadcast for the tank and the liftboat.
The Coast Guard reports that the liftboat has approximately 13,900 gallons of diesel onboard. At this time, there are currently no reports of discharge.
The cause is under investigation.
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