Deckhand drowns after falling off oilfield crew boat

FILE – In this July 13, 2017, photo released by the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, an oil industry facility in the Gulf of Mexico is seen. The U.S. government has accepted nearly $190 million in bids from an offshore oil and gas lease sale that was held nearly a year ago but rejected by a federal judge, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. (U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement via AP, File)

by: Dionne Johnson

Posted: Nov 28, 2022 / 08:30 PM AST

Updated: Nov 28, 2022 / 07:49 PM AST

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LOUISIANA (KLFY) A deckhand drowned, over the weekend, after falling off a crew boat that was tying up to an oil platform.

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Gabriel Wisdom confirmed with News 10 that the incident took place Saturday (11/26), 65 miles south of Vermilion Bay in the Gulf of Mexico.

He said watch-standers received a radio call around 10:30 a.m. stating that a man had reportedly fallen overboard.

Following an urgent marine broadcast, he said, rescue boats and an aircrew were sent to the area.

The victim, 40, was located in the water by the aircrew, Wisdom said.

A life raft was deployed, and the platform boat moved to rescue but the victim went underwater due to heavy seas and did not resurface.