Coast Guard Assists Fisherman

A Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station New Orleans airlifted a lone fisherman off his grounded 18 ft. fishing boat approximately 15 miles East of New Orleans near Bayou Delacroix, La. Richard Chatalain of Chalmette, Louisiana, contacted the Coast Guard my cellular telephone shortly after 3:00 pm Monday to report that his aluminum flat bottom boat was aground. Due to low tides and the remote location of the disabled vessel a 21 foot inflatable hull boat from Coast Guard Station New Orleans was unable to assist the man. It was determined that hoisting of the fisherman by helicopter would be necessary. Once the helicopter crew arrived on scene, they lowered a rescue basket to the grounded vessel and hoisted Mr. Chatalain into the aircraft’s cabin. The crew transported the uninjured fisherman to the Air Station to await further transportation to his residence.