The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the Seacor Power lift boat that capsized off the coast of Lafourche Parish last Tuesday. Eight of the nineteen crew members remain missing. NTSB investigator Andrew Ehlers said the investigation can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months.
“We focus on getting the answers right and making sure that we support the families, and that we prevent an accident like this from happening again,” said Ehlers.
Ehlers said the investigation will focus on three factors to determine the cause of the accident.
“The people involved, both at sea and ashore. We’ll be looking at the vessel and equipment, and we’ll be looking at the conditions that were there on the day of the accident,” said Ehlers.
Ehlers said they will focus first on weather conditions at the time of the accident and the National Weather Service is assisting with the investigation.
Other organizations assisting include the U-S Coast Guard, Seacor Marine, and the American Bureau of Shipping.
The NTSB is also asking for the public’s help. Ehlers said if you were in the area and witnessed the accident or experienced similar weather conditions in the Gulf of Mexico that day to contact them.
“We also would like to hear from folks who have served on that vessel before. Could share photos, video, experience on that vessel so we can learn more about that vessel,” said Ehlers.
The NTSB can be reached at eyewitness@ntsb.gov. You can follow the investigation on Twitter @ntsb_newsroom.
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