NEW ORLEANS — A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued two men after they grounded their burning vessel on Freemason Island, Wednesday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a notification from a family member stating that the two men had left Biloxi, Miss., Tuesday morning and did not arrive at their expected arrival time that evening.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans and a Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 fixed wing aircraft crew were directed to respond.
The helicopter crew found the men on Freemason Island and hoisted them aboard the helicopter. The men were brought back to Air Station New Orleans in reported stable condition.
"These two boaters did the right thing by filing a float plan with a family member before getting underway," said Lt.jg. Andy Snyder, a pilot at Air Station New Orleans. "A float plan gives the Coast Guard a timeline and a search area which greatly increases the chances of being rescued."