Coast Guard Responds to Liftboat Incident

The liftboat Juan tilts to its starboard side about 70 miles south of Gibson, La. The Coast Guard is monitoring the situation, and all personnel aboard the boat were safely evacuated. U.S. Coast Guard photograph

The Coast Guard is monitoring a liftboat that is listing to one side today about 70 miles south of Gibson, La. A liftboat is a self-elevating, self-propelled boat used for various tasks such as crane operations, pipe laying and construction. The Coast Guard was notified that the liftboat Juan, owned and operated by Montco Offshore Inc. in Galliano, La., was listing to its starboard (right) side during jack-up procedures. All six crewmember were safely evacuated from the boat.

Initially, the boat was listing at 10 degrees, and the boat is currently listing 45 degrees. No pollution has been reported, and personnel from Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Morgan City, La., are continuing to monitor the situation and will investigate the cause of the incident. The boat is located on the Outer Continental Shelf in Ship Shoal Block 207, and an overflight is scheduled to better assess and monitor the situation.