Teenage tugboat crewman missing from vessel on Mississippi

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:

(NEW ORLEANS) — The Coast Guard is searching for an 18-year-old man who was reported missing from a tug boat on the Mississippi River in the vicinity of LaPlace, La., at approximately midnight Monday, March 9, 2009.

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at 11:40 p.m. Monday from a crewmember aboard the towing vessel Jeffrey G., reporting that Jackson Ragan,18, of Aubrey, Ark., was discovered missing off the vessel just south of LaPlace, La.

Air Station New Orleans launched an HH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter and crew and Sector New Orleans immediately launched a 41-foot rescue boat and crew upon receiving the call.

St. John’s Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Port of South Louisiana also launched response boats to assist with the search.

The Coast Guard issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB) to mariners to use caution in this area.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Coast Guard Sector New Orleans at (504) 846-5924.