Teams Search After American Queen Crewman Overboard 

The Coast Guard suspended its search December 2 for a crew member of the American Queen who fell overboard near Baton Rouge the previous day. 

Rescue crews searched more than 100 miles of the Lower Mississippi River for about 32 hours. A crewmember fell overboard about 2 a.m. near Lower Mississippi River Mile 229, American Queen watchstanders told the Coast Guard. 

The river was closed from Mile 224 to Mile 230 for deep-draft commercial vessels but reopened about 4 p.m. the same day at a “slow bell,” indicating use of the safest slow speed, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Lally, a Coast Guard spokesman.  

Response crews searching were: Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter; Coast Guard Station New Orleans 29-foot Response Boat-Small; Coast Guard Cutter Kickapoo; East and West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office marine units; Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; and Louisiana State University campus police for shoreline search. 

“We commend our crew for their quick initial actions and search and rescue efforts,” American Queen Voyages said in a statement. “We’re thankful for the efforts of Coast Guard, state and local first responders as well as members of the maritime community who assisted with search and rescue efforts. Our thoughts and prayers go out to our fellow crewmember and their loved ones as the Coast Guard continues search efforts currently underway.”