Five People Rescued From Capsized Tow Boat in Port of New Orleans

Posted in Louisiana Maritime News,Maritime Accidents,Tug Boat Accidents on October 22, 2013

NEW ORLEANS, La. — A tow boat with 5 people aboard, capsized in the Mississippi River on Tuesday, Oct 22, when the boat flipped over after catching a large wake from a passing ship. All five people were rescued and transported to harbor patrol. No serious serious injuries were reported, according to authorities. Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department and the New Orleans Coast Guard all responded to the scene.

Photo of capsized tow boat in Port of New Orleans Oct. 22, 2013. Photo: Nolo.com

Coast Guard spokesman, Carlos Vega. said, that the accident was reported at about 9:31 a.m. Tuesday morning to port officials when the U.S. Coast Guard in New Orleans received reports that a vessel had capsized near mile marker 98.4, near the Louisiana Wharf.

A spokesman for the New Orleans Harbor Police said the vessel, a 65-foot boat named Kristin Alexis, is still submerged. The sunken vessel is owned by Marquette Transportation Company in Harahan.

Nolo.com reports that four of the five people were picked up by the Jimmy T Moran tow boat and one other person was rescued by another passing boat. According to Harbor Police, the five people were evaluated by medics once they arrived onshore. No one suffered serious injuries, and they refused medical treatment.

The incident remains under investigation at this time.

Blog post by Louisiana maritime lawyer, Gordon, Elias & Seely.