POSTED: Monday, September 3, 2012 - 3:30pm
UPDATED: Monday, September 3, 2012 - 3:34pm
PLAQUEMINES PARISH, LA — Two Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews medevaced 13 people involved in a boat collision near Buras, La., Saturday evening.
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders received a report that two 30-foot vessels collided near mile marker 21 on the Mississippi River injuring 19 people. Watchstanders directed the launch of the two rescue crews and the Coast Guard Cutter Sturgeon got underway to assist the helicopter crews and first responders.
Plaquemines Emergency Operations Center personnel set up a triage to assist the injured boaters. Once on scene the helicopter crews immediately medevaced the most seriously injured patients to Air Station New Orleans and safely transferred the patients to awaiting emergency medical services.
"Strong working relationships and shared communication systems allowed Plaquemines Parish authorities and Coast Guard rescue crews to work together to safely and efficiently stabilize and transport the injured patients, “ said Lt. Mark Bruno, a pilot with Air Station New Orleans. "Professional and thoughtful conduct by crews on the ground helped ease pain and suffering and allowed airborne crews to quickly move patients to waiting EMS. The Coast Guard would like to remind boaters to be safe on the waters by keeping safe distances from other vessels and maintaining reasonable speeds."
The 13 medevaced injured boaters were taken to local hospitals by EMS for further medical care.