An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans and a team of boats searched around 180 square miles for 8 hours before postponing the search to 6:15 a. m. m. Se the rubble was located, but no survivors were found.
“It’s a difficult resolution to suspend a search,” the lieutenant commander said. Kevin Keefe, coordinator of the Coast Guard’s search and rescue project in New Orleans, said in a statement. “Our deepest condolences and condolences pass on to the circle of relatives. and friends during this difficult time. “
The helicopter is owned by Rotorcraft Leasing Company, which describes itself as the “largest operator of personal helicopters in the Gulf of Mexico. “A company spokesman was quick to respond to a request for comment Thursday.
U. S. COAST GUARD RESPONDS TO REPORTS OF CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO
Petty Officer Jose Hernandez told Fox News Digital that the search is suspended “unless new data is obtained that will assist us in our search efforts. “
Approximately 3,200 oil and fuel structures are active in the Gulf of Mexico, ranging from single-well caissons in shallow water to large drilling sites at depths of up to 10,000 feet.
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In a separate incident earlier this month, the Coast Guard rescued three other people from a helicopter that crashed in the Gulf of Mexico as they tried to land on an oil rig about 30 miles south of the Louisiana coast.
This is breaking news. Check for updates.
Paul Best is a breaking reporter for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Tips and stories can be sent to Paul. Best@fox. com and on Twitter: @KincaidBest.