40 Rescued From Burning Ship In Gulf

A research vessel continued to burn about 10 miles off the coast of Grand Isle Saturday afternoon.

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 40 people from an 175-foot Odyssey Voyager after receiving a distress call at 5 p.m. Friday. The ship reported a fire in the engine room.

A helicopter rescue crew from New Orleans took two people from the ship to West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero, La.

The injured men had been fighting the fire since 2:30 p.m. Friday and suffered minor injuries according Petty Officer Susan Blake.

"One fellow has some smoke inhalation and the other guy had a few lacerations," Blake said Saturday. "Neither one looked serious."

The names of the men were not available.

The Coast Guard transported the rest of the crew to Fourchon, La.

"The vessel is still afloat and they're working diligently to put out the fire," Blake said. "When that's done a Coast Guard crew will go aboard to investigate the cause."