The offshore supply vessel Roman Elie assists the crew of the Strike Zone II after it began taking on water Apr. 23, 2016. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard and two good Samaritan vessels rescued nine people from a pleasure craft taking on water 17 miles off South Pass near Venice, Saturday evening.
Watchstanders with Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a mayday relay at approximately 5 p.m., from the offshore supply vessel Roman Elie reporting that the 55-foot pleasure craft Strike Zone II was rapidly taking on water and were attempting to return to shore.
The watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast, directed the launch of a Coast Guard Station Venice 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boatcrew and diverted a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to assist.
The Roman Elie, as well as the motor vessel Family Therapy, responded to the scene to assist the Strike Zone II, transferred some of the crew off the distressed vessel and provided emergency pumps.
The Coast Guard boatcrew arrived on scene and took the Strike Zone II in tow. The Coast Guard boatcrew and the Family Therapy safely brought the Strike Zone II crew and vessel back to Cypress Cove Marina in Venice with no reported injuries.
