Search for Missing Hunter Near South Pass

 

The Coast Guard, state and local agencies responded to a report of a missing duck hunter in the vicinity of South Pass on the lower Mississippi River, Thursday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report of the missing hunter and directed the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, and a Coast Guard Station Venice rescue boat crew at 9:17 p.m., Wednesday.

First responders searched throughout the evening and into the morning.

Plaquemine's Parish Marine Division and Lousiana Wildlife and Fisheries joined the search this morning. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries located the hunter at 10 a.m. on the western side of South Pass.

Recreational sportsmen and mariners are reminded to carry a reliable means of communication, such as a VHF-FM radio or signaling devices. Boaters should also have personal floatation devices as they greatly increase survivability and detection in search and rescue cases.