3 Rescued from Tug Taking on Water [Photos]

The Coast Guard rescued three crewmembers aboard an uninspected towing vessel on Lake Pontchartrain, Tuesday.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector New Orleans command center received a report the UTV Todd Michael was taking on water and reportedly grounded on the rocks near the Lakefront Airport on Lake Pontchartrain with three people aboard.

Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a response boatcrew from Coast Guard Station New Orleans. The aircrew hoisted two crewmen from the ship, the boatcrew removed one member from the barge attached to the towing vessel. Both Coast Guard crews transported the three to emergency medical services.

"Once on scene, it was apparent that the grounded vessel offered many hazards for retrieving the survivors safely," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Ari Markle, an aviation survival technician at Air Station New Orleans. "Due to our diligent training and a dedicated crew, we overcame the hazards to help get them immediate medical attention."

Their condition was unknown.