Coast Guard searching for man who fell overboard Mississippi River cruise ship

A search is underway for a crew member who fell overboard of the American Queen riverboat cruise ship early Wednesday morning.

The U.S. Coast Guard was notified just after 2 a.m. that a man had fallen overboard into the Mississippi River near the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.  A search and rescue operation was launched, with crews searching by water and air to locate the man.

A six-mile stretch of the river north and south of the I-10 Bridge was closed to deep-draft commercial vessels, Coast Guard officials said in a statement.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office has deployed their marine unit to aid in the search.  LSU Police officers have also joined the effort.

“An American Queen crew member reportedly fell overboard early this morning as the vessel approached Baton Rouge. The American Queen immediately began search and rescue efforts and notified the U.S. Coast Guard. The American Queen participated in search and rescue efforts along with federal, state and local law enforcement officials until released by the Coast Guard earlier this morning,” a spokesperson for the American Queen said in a statement.

The identity of the crew member has not been released.

“We commend our crew for their quick initial actions and search and rescue efforts. 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 crew member and their loved ones as the Coast Guard continues search efforts currently underway.”