The Coast Guard is searching for two people who were aboard an overdue helicopter that is believed to have crashed in the Gulf of Mexico.
Officials tell KATC that they were contacted about the missing helicopter at around 10:37 am Saturday. Panther Marine, the owner of the helicopter stated that the crew did not reach their destination. The passengers were transiting from one offshore platform to another but Panther Marine lost communications when they were 10 minutes from landing, according to a release.
The crews last known position was 13 nautical miles west of Southwest Pass, Louisiana. The identities of the two crew members were not released.
The tail number of the helicopter is N79LP and the owner is Panther Marine.
Involved in the search are:
- Coast Guard District Eight watchstanders
- Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders
- Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew
- Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin aircrew
- Coast Guard Station Venice Response Boat-Medium boat crew
- Panther Marine
A map of the location of Southwest Pass is below:
