NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard rescued two people from a sinking vessel in Bayou Eloi approximately 33 nautical miles east of New Orleans, Sunday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at 7:30 p.m. Sunday via a marine VHF radio of a 30-foot boat with two people aboard taking on water in Lake Eloi.
Sector watchstanders directed the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans and a 24-Foot Special Purpose Craft boatcrew from Coast Guard Station New Orleans to assist the people.
The aircrew located the vessel at 8:33 p.m. and directed the Coast Guard boatcrew to its location.
The boatcrew arrived on scene and transported the people to a good Samaritan vessel in stable condition.
The Coast Guard urges mariners to have visual and sound signaling devices readily available on all voyages in case of an emergency to assist responders in rescue missions.