The US Coast Guard announced on Monday it is suspending its search for the eight remaining missing Seacor Power lift boat crewmembers, 8 miles south of Port Fourchon, Louisiana.
Coast Guard boat and aircrews, local agency crews, and good Samaritans searched for a cumulative 175 hours, covering over 9,200 square nautical miles.
The US Coast Guard and multiple good Samaritan vessels had rescued six people from the vessel, which capsized in stormy weather off Port Fourchon on April 13. Shortly after, two unresponsive crew members were recovered.
So far, a total of 17 divers working in the scene have recovered five bodies from the wreck, according to USCG information.
Suspending a search is one of the toughest decisions the Coast Guard has to make. Our crews searched continuously over the past six days with the hope of bringing the missing crewmembers home to their loved ones. I would like to extend my deepest and most sincere condolences to the families, friends and loved ones–all those impacted by this terrible tragedy,
…said Capt. Will Watson, commander of Coast Guard Sector New Orleans.
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The owner company is working with the USCG on a salvage plan for the lift boat. As soon as it is brought back to shore, an investigation will begin to determine the exact causes of the accident, with NTSB estimating that the investigation could last between 12 and 24 months.
