Search Suspended for Two Missing from Towboat that Capsized on Mississippi River Near New Orleans

The Coast Guard suspended its search for two people who were aboard a towing vessel that sank in the vicinity of mile marker 90.5 on the Mississippi River near New Orleans, Tuesday.

The incident comes as the Lower Mississippi River is experiencing high water from recent rainfall.

Missing are Malon Dawsey and Karl Prince.

Coast Guard crews and local agencies searched approximately 101 square nautical miles for over 43 hours and found no signs of the men.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at 9:43 a.m. Monday that the towing vessel Natalie Jean capsized with three people aboard. The good Samaritan vessel Earl Gosling rescued one person.

There is an estimated 600 gallons of fuel on board the Natalie Jean, the Coast Guard said earlier this week.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

The NWS this week issued flood warnings for parts of the Lower Mississippi River due. The Carrollton Gage this week showed the Mississippi River at New Orleans at close to flood stage of 17 feet.

The flooding has led the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway for the first time since 2016 to alleviate flooding in the New Orleans area. As of Wednesday, a total of 148 gates were open. 

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