Louisiana Boat Capsizing: What Vessels Are Prone To Tipping?

In April 2021, a 129-foot commercial lift boat, the Seacor Power, capsized in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. The boat, owned by Seacor Marine, a Houston-based marine transportation company, was carrying 19 people when it flipped over in strong winds and rough seas. Six people were rescued, 13 were killed, and seven have never been found. An investigation into the incident found that hurricane-force winds were the primary reason the vessel overturned.

The Seacor Power boat capsized in 2021

On April 13, 2021, the Seacor Power, a 234-foot (71-metre) commercial liftboat, capsized in the Gulf of Mexico, around 8 miles off Port Fourchon, Louisiana. The boat, constructed in 2002, was owned by Seacor Marine and flagged in the United States. It was powered by two Caterpillar 3508B@1900hp engines.

The U.S. Coast Guard received a distress signal around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, and immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation. The Coast Guard Cutter Glenn Harris, a 154-foot rescue ship, arrived at the scene within 30 minutes, along with multiple civilian boats that answered the call.

Six people were successfully rescued from the water—one each by two U.S. Coast Guard ships and four by civilian vessels. Despite the efforts of the Coast Guard and civilian volunteers, 13 crew members were confirmed or presumed dead. The search for survivors was called off by the Coast Guard on April 19, 2021.

At the time of the incident, the Seacor Power faced challenging weather conditions, including winds of 80 to 90 mph and towering waves of 7 to 9 feet. These conditions were caused by a "'wake low' weather pattern, resulting in very rough seas.

The capsizing of the Seacor Power had a significant impact on the community in Port Fourchon, a major base of operations for offshore oil and gas companies. It highlighted the inherent dangers of maritime work and the potential for unexpected weather conditions to turn deadly. The incident also prompted an investigation into why the vessel ventured out amid such challenging weather.

The Seacor Power tragedy serves as a reminder of the risks faced by those who work at sea and the importance of preparedness and swift emergency response in the face of unpredictable and dangerous maritime conditions.

13 people died in the incident

On April 13, 2021, the Seacor Power, a 129-foot commercial lift boat, capsized in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana coast. The boat, owned by Seacor Marine based in Houston, was carrying 19 people when it overturned during a storm.

Six people were rescued and brought safely back to shore, but sadly, 13 people died in the incident. The first victim was found dead on the surface of the water, with their body recovered by the Coast Guard. The remaining 12 people were reported missing, and a search and rescue operation was conducted by the Coast Guard and private vessels.

The Coast Guard searched more than 1,440 square miles, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island, but unfortunately, no more survivors were found. The rescue efforts were hampered by challenging weather conditions, including rough seas and strong winds, as well as the fact that the boat had flipped upside down.

The capsizing of the Seacor Power was a tragic incident that highlighted the importance of safety measures and emergency preparedness in the maritime industry. The investigation into the disaster found that hurricane-force winds were the primary reason the vessel overturned. It also brought attention to the potential life-saving benefits of personal locator beacons for crew members.

The boat was a 129-foot commercial lift boat

On April 13, 2021, a 129-foot commercial lift boat, the Seacor Power, capsized in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana coast. The boat left Port Fourchon, Louisiana, at around 1:30 pm, carrying 19 people, and was headed to Main Pass, about 28 miles away.

The Coast Guard received a distress message around 4:30 pm that the boat had capsized. When they arrived at the scene, rescuers faced seven- to nine-foot waves and winds of 80 to 90 miles per hour. Six people were rescued at sea and safely transported back to shore, and one person was found dead on the surface of the water.

Lift boats are self-propelled work vessels with broad open decks that are commonly found along the Gulf Coast. They support drilling, construction and oceanic exploration and can operate in shallow or deep water settings.

The Seacor Power was identified as belonging to Seacor Marine, a Houston-based marine transportation company. The cause of the capsizing was not immediately known, but the Coast Guard was investigating why the vessel ventured out to sea during such challenging weather.

The search for survivors continued, with the Coast Guard and private vessels aiding in the effort. The boat remained capsized on its starboard side in about 50 feet of water.

Hurricane-force winds were the primary reason the vessel overturned

Hurricane-force winds were the primary reason the Seacor Power vessel overturned off the coast of Louisiana in April 2021. The boat, a 129-foot commercial lift vessel, was carrying 19 people when it capsized in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in the tragic loss of 13 lives.

The Seacor Power boat left Port Fourchon around noon on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, and was headed about 28 miles east to Main Pass. However, it encountered severe weather conditions, including high winds and rough seas. The Coast Guard received a distress message around 4:30 p.m. that the boat had capsized, and they immediately responded to the scene. During the rescue efforts, they faced challenging conditions with seven- to nine-foot waves and winds of 80 to 90 miles per hour, which is equivalent to the strength of a Category 1 hurricane.

The investigation into the incident concluded that the hurricane-force winds were the key factor in the vessel overturning. The powerful winds, combined with rough seas, posed a significant challenge for the crew and ultimately led to the capsizing of the boat.

The Seacor Power was a lift boat, a type of self-propelled work vessel commonly used in the Gulf Coast region to support drilling, construction, and oceanic exploration. These vessels are designed to work in both shallow and deepwater settings and play a crucial role in the region's economy, particularly in the oil and gas industry.

The tragedy of the Seacor Power capsizing highlights the importance of safety measures and emergency preparedness in such hazardous conditions. It also underscores the potential life-saving impact of personal locator beacons, as advocated by the US transportation safety board chairperson.

The boat was owned by Seacor Marine, a Houston-based company

On April 13, 2021, a 129-foot commercial lift boat owned by Seacor Marine, a Houston-based company, capsized in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana coast. The boat, named the Seacor Power, left Port Fourchon at around 1:30 pm and was carrying 19 people.

Seacor Marine is a Houston-based marine transportation company that provides global marine and support transportation services to offshore energy industries, predominantly oil and gas exploration and production, and offshore wind. The company operates and manages a diverse energy-efficient fleet of offshore support vessels, focusing on safety, reliability, and environmentally sustainable practices. Their fleet diversity meets every offshore need.

The Seacor Power boat was heading east to Main Pass, about 28 miles away from Port Fourchon, when it encountered severe weather conditions, including strong winds and high waves. The Coast Guard received a distress message around 4:30 pm that the boat had capsized. They arrived on the scene to face seven- to nine-foot waves and winds of 80 to 90 miles per hour.

The search and rescue efforts by the Coast Guard and private vessels were challenging due to the treacherous weather conditions. Six people were rescued and safely transported back to shore, while one person was found dead on the surface of the water. The Coast Guard continued to search for the remaining 12 missing people, with the hope of finding survivors.

The cause of the capsizing was not immediately known, and the Coast Guard was investigating why the vessel ventured out to sea during such difficult weather. The Seacor Power boat remained capsized on its starboard side in about 50 feet of water, and there was a possibility that survivors might be trapped inside the vessel.

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