Coast Guard calls off search for missing boater in Vermilion Bay
VERMILION BAY, La. (KLFY) -- One person was rescued and another remains missing after their boat capsized in Vermilion Bay over the weekend, authorities said.
Brandon Boutte, 49, and a friend were on their 16-foot aluminum boat when it reportedly capsized. At about 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the Coast Guard suspended its search for the missing boater, according to Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin Walsh, USCG Sector New Orleans, Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator.
"We offer our deepest condolences to Brandon's family and friends in this incredibly heartbreaking time,” Walsh said. “The decision to suspend a search is never made lightly. We are grateful to have rescued one survivor and thankful for the exhaustive search efforts carried out by our Coast Guard crews and local agency partners."
Coast Guard assets assisting in the search efforts were USCGC Moray, USCGC Daniel Tarr, a Air Station New Orleans MH-60 aircrew, a Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 aircrew and Station New Orleans Response Boat-small boatcrew, officials said.