A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agent rescued three people from a sinking vessel in Vermilion Bay the morning of June 27.

Agents were alerted around 5:30 a.m. about a sinking shrimp vessel in Vermillion Bay with three people on board. LDWF Sgt. Mitch Darby responded by boat to the scene and was able to rescue a 55 year old New Iberia man, 14 year old boy and 11 year old boy.

Sgt. Darby then transported the rescued people to a boat launch where family members were waiting. The 55 year old and 14 year old sustained minor injuries in the incident.

According to the rescued 55 year old, they were in route to go shrimping on a 20 foot vessel when they struck a submerged object causing their vessel to begin sinking. The man said they were just about to enter the water with personal flotation devices when Sgt. Darby showed up with the rescue vessel.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive email alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.