A fire broke out aboard a seismic survey vessel in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 100 nautical miles south of Grand Isle, Louisiana, on Monday, October 12.
The US Coast Guard said that 42 people were reported aboard the survey vessel Rem Andes and that abandon ship operations had begun.
People who boarded life rafts were taken aboard nearby Good Samaritan vessels, while coast guard aircrews remained on scene, "to help account for all personnel," the service said.
Local news outlet WVUE Fox 8 reported that the fire was extinguished by about 14:45 local time on Monday, though rescue work involving people in lifeboats was still continuing.
No injuries were reported, according to initial accounts.
Grand Isle Police Chief Chris Hernandez said the Good Samaritan vessels were two oilfield vessels bound for Port Fourchon. He added that the coast guard Marine Protector-class patrol boat USCGC Yellowfin, based in Charleston, South Carolina, also assisted.
AIS data showed Rem Andes slowed and began drifting north of her usual survey track at about 09:55. She was later reported drifting northeast, about 90 nautical miles south of Whiskey Island, Louisiana.
For at least the preceding year, the vessel had conducted seismic surveys along paths across the deepwater US continental shelf, operating out of Gulfport and Port Fourchon.
Rem Andes is operated by Rem Offshore and managed by Rem Maritime. The 87.9-metre research vessel was previously one of three engaged in a 3D ocean-bottom-node seismic survey in Gulf of Mexico federal waters, conducted by PXGEO on behalf of WesternGeco between late 2024 and mid-2025.
