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Deadly Gulf Storm with 100 Mile Per Hour Winds Provides Harrowing Moments for Coast Guard,


12 missing after lifeboat capsizes in the Gulf off Louisiana coast (USCG)
12 missing after lifeboat capsizes in the Gulf off Louisiana coast (USCG)
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"We were coming out of the seats, coming out of our beds, it was nothing like I've ever seen or heard in my life."

That's 30 year old Bruce Simon, a deck hand aboard The Pappa P.

The vessel had just delivered a fresh crew to the lift boat "Seacor Power" ..the same crew that was on board when that vessel capsized in turbulent water in the Gulf of Mexico 7 miles south of Port Fouchon, Louisiana.

Even before they left port, Simon and his fellow crew knew it was going to be a rough ride, but had no idea it was going to be like this.

"Sustained winds of 80-90 miles an hour,” he recalls. “We had some gusts of 115 to 120 miles an hour."

It was too much for the Seacor Power... the platform boat with expandable legs flipped, sending all 19 crew members into the water... and sending the US Coast Guard on a life-saving mission.

By daybreak this morning, the numbers were already sobering. Six people rescued. 12 missing, one body recovered.

U.S. Coast Guard Captain Will Watson said his crews were determined.

"Fortunately, even with adverse weather conditions, our crews were able to get on scene and respond within about 30 minutes."

And not just the Coast Guard.

Ft. Fouchon Parish dispatched it's boat. Other good Samaritans joined in. Of the 6 immediately rescued, two were pulled to safety by the Coast Guard, 4 others by civilians.

"We've been getting so many calls from folks in the maritime industry that want to get involved and it's been tremendous," said Capt. Watson.

Efforts continued into Wednesday afternoon... with seas remaining at 8 to 10 feet with 20 to 30 mile per hour winds.

As for the outgoing crew transported to safety by the Pappa P, Simon says they know they're fortunate to be alive.

"Yeah, everybody was so happy to make it to the dock."

A reminder of how quickly weather and fate can turn when you make your living... here.




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