(NEW ORLEANS) — The Coast Guard suspended its search Monday for the remaining eight missing crewmembers from the liftboat SEACOR Power, 8 miles south of Port Fourchon, La.
Coast Guard boat and air crews, local agency crews and good Samaritans searched for a cumulative 175 hours, covering over 9,200 square nautical miles.
“We extend our appreciation to everyone who volunteered to assist during the search effort. Suspending a search is one of the toughest decisions the Coast Guard has to make,” said Capt. Will Watson, commander of Coast Guard Sector New Orleans. “Our crews searched continuously over the past six days with the hope of bringing the missing crewmembers home to their loved ones. I would like to extend my deepest and most sincere condolences to the families, friends and loved ones — all those impacted by this terrible tragedy. I know that this is an immensely difficult time for you all, and for the entire maritime community.”
Rescue assets involved in the search:
The pre-commissioned Coast Guard cutter Glen Harris crew
Coast Guard cutter Amberjack crew
Coast Guard cutter Moray crew
Coast Guard cutter Benjamin Dailey crew
Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew
Coast Guard Station Grand Isle 45-foot RB-M boat crews
Coast Guard Station New Orleans 45-foot RB-M boat crews
Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crews
Two Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplanes crews
Two Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules airplane crews
Two Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries crews
Port Fourchon Harbor Patrol
Port Fourchon Sheriff’s Department
Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office
One commercial air medical service crew
Donjon Marine commercial divers