Rescue of Ship Aborted Due to Ike's High Winds

Rescuers were forced to abort their effort in reaching 22 men aboard a 584-foot shop adrift in the Gulf of Mexico because of high winds produced by Hurricane Ike.

The Associated Press is reporting tonight:

Petty Officer Tom Atkeson said five Coast Guard and Air Force aircraft were hauling rescue swimmers on their way to the ship but were forced to land in Lake Charles, La.

Atkeson said the planes encountered winds of about 92 mph at the site of the drifting freighter, about 120 miles southeast of Galveston. Such winds are above the safety limits for a rescue attempt, he said.

The freighter, registered in Cyprus, sent out a radio call for help just after 4 a.m. CDT Friday. Initially the Coast Guard said the men on the ship would have to ride out the storm because rough seas made rescue impossible.

The ship, carrying a load of petroleum coke, lost propulsion and steering but there was no indication that the ship was taking on water, Atkeson said.

Atkeson said the Coast Guard was in contact with the crew on the ship, built in 1984, and might be able to relaunch a rescue attempt later.

A woman at TEO's offices in Athens, where it was late Friday night, said company officials were monitoring the situation and were in contact with the crew.

"Everybody is safe on the ship," said the woman.