Posted on 02/21/2004 10:28:28 AM PST by HAL9000
VENICE, La. (AP) — An offshore supply vessel with a crew of five sank after colliding with a container ship about 5:20 a.m. Saturday near the mouth of the Mississippi River, the Coast Guard said.
A Coast Guard rescue boat was at the scene by 7:30 a.m. Saturday, and was searching for the crew of the Lee III, Coast Guard Petty Officer Jonathan McCool said.
He said the rescue crew saw the Lee III sink, but had not found anyone several hours after the accident.
If the crew members were not wearing their life jackets, they probably did not have time to get them, McCool confirmed.
The 178-foot Lee III and the 534-foot Zim Mexico III collided in the river's Southwest Pass, he said.
The container ship's crew reported damage to its forepeak, very near the bow, but no injuries.
The Zim Mexico III is registered in Antigua and Barbuda, owned by B. Rickmers GMBH Cie., and operated by Zim American Israeli Shipping Co., McCool said.
The Lee III is one of six vessels owned by Ocean Runner Inc., an offshore supply boat company based in Houston.
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