The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(HOUSTON) (April 19) — A Coast Guard helicopter crew located the body of the missing tugboat crewman from the capsized Ricky J Leboeuf near the location of the tug on the San Jacinto River on Tuesday at 9:47 a.m.
The Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew located the man's body and directed rescue boats to his location, which was a few hundred feet downstream. They recovered the unresponsive man's body and transported him to EMS.
Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service Houston restricted waterway traffic on the San Jacinto at 8:42 a.m. Traffic is prohibited between the red No. 2 light and the I-10 bridge. Vessels may be allowed to transit the area on a case-by-case basis.
Coast Guard pollution response teams are on scene to evaluate any potential environmental impacts and coordinate with a salvage team that was contracted to recover the tug.
The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the accident.
To view a Harris County Sheriff's Office video of the scene, click here.
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(HOUSTON) (April 19) — Coast Guard and Harris County Sheriff's Office responders are searching for a missing man after he and four others were sent into the water when their tug flipped over in the San Jacinto River about a half mile south of Interstate 10 in Houston.
The missing man was described as being about 5 feet 10 inches tall, 325 pounds, wearing a red shirt, khaki pants and a buoyant work vest.
Kirby Inland Marine personnel notified the Coast Guard at 8:11 a.m., just after the tug, Ricky J Leboeuf, capsized at 7:44 a.m. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watch standers launched an Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, a Station Houston response boat, coordinated a Harris County Sheriff's Office boat and requested a dive team to assist in the search.
The other four individuals were recovered shortly after entering the water.
