GRAND ISLE, La. – The Coast Guard rescued a mariner from a towing vessel after he was reportedly injured by a piece of equipment while working 53 miles south of Grand Isle in the Gulf of Mexico, early Sunday morning.
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders were notified of the injured mariner by the captain of the vessel. Watchstanders directed the launch of a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans. Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile also assisted in the rescue by providing an Ocean Sentry airplane.
Air Station New Orleans safely medevaced the conscious mariner back to New Orleans where he was then taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
The rescue took place during inclement weather, including 12-foot sea swells.
The cause of the incident is being investigated.