Supply Vessel Sinks After Striking Rig

Published Jun 17, 2013 10:16 AM by The Maritime Executive

On Friday (June 14), a vessel carrying 20 people collided with a rig near Southwest Pass.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, all 20 passengers – including 4 crewmembers – were safely transferred to a nearby ship before their vessel sank. The bow of the M/V Celeste Ann was seen pointing toward the sky as the vessel sank underwater.

Response workers were using boom to contain a small amount of fuel that apparently spilled from the vessel and left a sheen on the surface.

The ship belongs to B&J Martin of Galliano. A company spokesperson stated that all passengers aboard the vessel were offshore workers, but declined to identify the operator of the platform. The M/V Celeste Ann is USCG Approved for the transportation of passengers and supplies for hire to 120 miles offshore, and is also approved for 42 passengers.