By Bob Warren, The Times-Picayune
Thursday, September 02, 2010, 10:10 AM, Updated: Thursday, September 02, 2010, 10:36 AM The Coast Guard is responding to a report of a rig on fire “and people in the water” in the Gulf of Mexico south of Vermillion Bay, authorities said. Petty Officer Casey Ranel said the rig is around 80 miles south of Vermillion Bay and that a helicopter earlier today reported that it was in fire “and that there was smoke and there were people in the water.” Five helicopters, two airplanes and four boats are en route from Coast Guard stations in New Orleans and Houston, Ranel said. She said the rig, Vermillion Oil Rig 380, is owned by Mariner Energy, but that details were scarce. Vermillion Oil Rig 360 is a gas and oil rig in 450 feet of water in South Timbalier Block 316, according to company records.

Coast Guard responding to rig fire Gulf of Mexico; people reported in water