NEW ORLEANS — Coast Guard rescue crews assisted in a rescue of 15 people who were stranded on an island, Friday.
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders received a report from the Plaquemines Parish Sherriff Office that reported 15 people stranded on an island near Empire Canal.
A Plaquemines Parish Sherriff’s Office response boat responded immediately. Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans diverted a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew after receiving notification from the sheriff’s office, and was able to locate the people, determine their condition, and guide additional vessels in for the rescue.
A good Samaritan was first on-scene and transported all 15 people initially, transferring them to the sheriff’s office and Coast Guard Station New Orleans response boats for further transfer to land.
The incident began when a vessel holding 10 people began taking on water and began to sink, the vessel then grounded itself on a nearby island. A nearby good Samaritan attempted to assist the people and began to take on water causing the vessel the need to ground itself, leaving 15 people stranded on the island.
