Coast Guard responds to oil platform explosion

NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to a report of 13 people in the water following an oil platform explosion in block 380 approximately 90 miles south of Vermillion Bay, La., at about 9:19 a.m.

Watchstanders at the Eighth Coast Guard District command center received a report from a pilot aboard a Bristow helicopter at about 10:00 a.m., stating that 13 people were in the water near an oil platform on fire. All 13 people were wearing immersion suits.

The 13 people in the water were picked up by the OSV Crystal Clear and taken to another platform. Coast Guard helicopters are being utilized to transport the rescued to Terrebonne General Hospital.

Currently responding are:

Five MH-65C rescue helicopters and cres from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans;

Four MH-65C rescue helicopters and crews from Coast Guard Air Station Houston;

HC-144 Guardian aircraft from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, Ala;

Coast Guard Cutters Decisive, Skipjack, Manta, Harry Claiborne;

Their conditions are unknown.