CG rescue trio; vessel sinks

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard rescued three overdue boaters near Big Constance Lake in Louisiana on May 25. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report of three overdue boaters on a 20-foot commercial shrimping vessel from Rollover Landing, La. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries confirmed the truck and trailer associated with the overdue vessel was still at the landing. The CG launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from CG Air Station New Orleans. The overdue boaters were located on shore after using an orange shirt tied to a stick to flag the helicopter crew. The vessel had sunk 18 hours earlier. The aircrew returned the boaters to their truck in good condition. (Source: Coast Guard 05/25/18) The CG reminds boaters of the importance of float plans and ensuring that someone staying on land knows your plan. For more details on float plans, including what should be included, visit this website: http://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/classroom/filing.htm