CG rescues lift boat crew

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard rescued four crewmen from the lift boat Superior Trust after it became unstable near Southwest Pass, La., on Feb. 15. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a call at 3:19 a.m. reporting one of the Superior Trust’s legs failed and made contact with a natural gas platform’s walkway resulting in about a 10-gallon discharge of oil. Coast Guard Station Venice launched a response boat arriving on scene at 4:30 a.m. and safely transported the Superior Trust crew back to CGS Venice. USCG Cutter Brant arrived at 10:41 a.m. to monitor the lift boat. A CG Air Station New Orleans MH-65 helicopter conducted an over flight. Superior Energy is developing a salvage plan, and has a pollution cleanup company on standby. I.G. Petroleum is deploying a vessel to survey damage to the platform and begin repairs. There were no reported injuries. (Source: Coast Guard 02/15/17)