NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard rescued four people from an overturned airboat near Lafitte, Thursday.
Watchstanders with the Eighth Coast Guard District received a report from a friend of the boaters at approximately 10 p.m., that a 16-foot airboat with four people onboard did not return after a boating trip.
An MH-65C rescue helicopter and crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans was diverted to search for the vessel. The helicopter quickly located the boat which had overturned near Bayou de Fleur. All four were hoisted into the helicopter and were taken to the air station in Belle Chase, where family was waiting.
“The survivor held up a lighter which allowed for the boaters to be seen on night vision goggles,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class James Hockenberry, an aviation maintenance technician with Air Station New Orleans. “This expedited their rescue.”
The Coast Guard reminds boaters to file a float plan with friends or family before going boating to ensure responders have your potential location should the unexpected occur. Additionally, carrying multiple signaling devices onboard could aid rescuers in locating someone in the event of an emergency.
