News on Boat That Capsized Off Louisiana Coast Is Grim

1 person has been found dead; 12 are still missing
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 15, 2021 1:37 AM CDT
1 Killed, 12 Missing After Boat Capsized Off Louisiana Coast
A Coast Guard Station Grand Isle 45-foot Respone Boat-Medium boatcrew heads toward a capsized 175-foot commercial lift boat Tuesday, April 13, 2021, searching for people in the water 8 miles south of Grand Isle, Louisiana.   (U.S. Coast Guard Coast Guard Cutter Glenn Harris via AP)

An area larger than Rhode Island has been searched by Coast Guard boats and aircraft following the Tuesday afternoon capsizing of a commercial lift boat off the coast of Louisiana. There were 19 crew members aboard the offshore oil rig, also known as a jackup rig, and just six have been rescued. One person was found dead, and 12 others are still missing, the AP reports. "We are hopeful. We can’t do this work if you’re not optimistic, if you’re not hopeful," a Coast Guard captain said at a press conference Wednesday.

The 129-foot Seacor Power services oil platforms, NOLA.com explains. It is owned by Houston-based Seacor Marine. Soon after it embarked from Port Fourchon, it was overtaken by 7- to 9-foot waves and winds up to 90mph. "I’m like, ‘The weather’s too bad. You need to come home.’ And he’s like, ‘I wish I could,'" recalls Marion Cuyler of her last conversation with her fiance before the boat left. "We are deeply saddened by the news of the vessel capsizing and are working closely with the US Coast Guard and local authorities to support all efforts to locate our valued team members and partners," Seacor Marine says in a statement. (More Louisiana stories.)

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