Crewboat Evacuated After Catching Fire in the Gulf of Mexico

The 113-foot crewboat GIS Leonce suffered an engine fire this evening forcing the evacuation of the vessel south of Louisiana.  Upon notification of the evacuation, the Coast Guard scrambled air assets from New Orleans and Mobile as a potential search and rescue mission began to unfold.

The offshore supply vessel Nicki Candies was in the vicinity and rescued the crew and put out the fire, according to a statement by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The USCGC Sturgeon is on scene and the GIS Leonce is currently tied alongside the Nicki Candies to keep her from drifting away.  There were no injuries and the extent of the damage is unknown at this time, the Coast Guard said.