Bourbon Rhode: Two more bodies recovered

Bourbon Rhode: Image: Bourbon Offshore

Bourbon Offshore today reported the deaths of two more crew members of the Bourbon Rhode, the tug supply vessel that sank last week after being caught near the eye of Hurricane Lorenzo (see earlier story).

Bourbon says the bodies of the two seafarers were recovered at sea last night and transferred to the French navy frigate Ventôse.

The response operations carried out by the French authorities with the support of the U.S. authorities are part of a major effort that has intensified in recent days. Since the beginning of the operations on September 26, ten commercial vessels have been mobilized in the area. Daily overflights are performed by a French Navy Falcon 50 and a U.S. Coast Guard C 130 Hercules aircraft.

The frigate Ventôse and its Panther helicopter are at the heart of the system and coordinate a grid of nearly 40 search areas.

“On behalf of all Bourbon employees, I would like to pay tribute to the deceased sailors. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones who are grieving over this dramatic event. We stand in full solidarity with them in this ordeal and assure them of our strongest support. Research operations are continuing on this sixth day and the mobilization of the maritime world is unprecedented. I would like to express our gratitude to all the response teams and those who volunteer,” said Bourbon Corporation CEO Gaël Bodénès.