A Coast Guard rescue helicopter saved a mariner from his sinking vessel on Monday.
Coast Guard Watchstanders got a cell phone call from the owner of a sailing vessel named "Bad Influence", which the owner said lost power and was taking on water.
They launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans and diverted an HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew from Coast Guard Air Station in Corpus Christi to assist in the rescue.
The helicopter crew arrived on scene, safely hoisted the mariner with a reportedly minor knee injury, and took him to Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport in Patterson, Louisiana in good condition.
