NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard located an overdue boater, Monday, on Mud Lake near the Intracoastal Waterway in Franklin.
Rescued was Randy Segura Sr., 48.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a call from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office at 2 a.m. Monday requesting assistance to locate a 12-foot airboat that reportedly left from the Willow Street boat launch in Franklin, Sunday, with a 48-year-old man aboard. The girlfriend of Segura reported him overdue and stated he normally went to Quintillan Oil Field and the Franklin Canal area. A St. Mary Parish marine unit searched an area north of the ICW from approximately 9 p.m. Sunday until 2 a.m. His airboat reportedly ran hard aground after a short trip to test the airboat’s motor.
A Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65C Dolphin helicopter and crew located Segura at approximately 5:40 a.m. The crew hoisted and transported him to the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport in Patterson.
“We saw him near his grounded boat signaling SOS with his flashlight,” said Lt. j.g. Eric Turner, Air Station New Orleans pilot. “We were able to locate him much more effectively because he stayed with the vessel and used a signalling device to alert his distress.”
The Coast Guard recommends boaters file a float plan with a friend or family, which can make the difference in rescue and response time in the event of an emergency. Boaters should stay with their grounded or capsized vessel and always wear a life jacket.
Segura’s condition is unknown.
