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Posted in Florida Maritime News,Gulf Coast,Maritime Accidents on January 23, 2013
PENSACOLA, Florida — Twelve crew members were rescued by aircrews from the U.S. Coast Guard on Friday morning, Jan. 18, after their 170-foot research ship capsized about 141 miles south of Pensacola.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Barry Pittman, left, and emergency medical services personnel treat a crewmember, middle, from the research vessel Seaprobe at the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile following an airlift approximately 141 miles off the coast of Pensacola, Fla., on Jan. 18, 2013. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
The Coast Guard’s 8th District issued a press release stating that crew members aboard a ship called the Seaprobe reported the ship was flooding and 12 crew members had to abandon ship on life rafts.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert McDonald ATC Mobile flight mechanic said:
“When we arrived on scene we saw the hull sticking out of the water, and about a mile away, 12 crew members were on three life rafts tied together; Our rescue swimmer assisted five into the hoist basket. They were covered in diesel fuel and extremely cold, but every one of them was wearing a life jacket.”
“They [the crew members] were covered in diesel fuel and extremely cold, but every one of them was wearing a life jacket,” McDonald said.
The crew members were taken to ATC Mobile, where three were further transported to Providence Hospital with “medical concerns.”
The cause of the incident remains under investigation at this time.
Blog Post by maritime attorneys, Gordon, Elias & Seely, L.L.P.