U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Houma

03/28/2026

Earlier today, Gina Saizon, Response Program Manager for LOSCO; AND Kevin Borne: Division Admin; hosted Jessica Domangue, LA state legislature district 53 representative; to show the barrier islands clean up progress that were affected by the LOOP spill.

Mrs.Saizon explained to Rep. Domangue how the oil was being cleaned, how and why the oil drifted to where it was, the types of wildlife in the area, and the process of the response.

The group stopped on Whiskey Island and surveyed cleanup efforts where they found a small handful of tar balls. They stopped at several barrier islands and smaller mangrove marshes along the way.

03/26/2026

The Unified Command has consolidated all information related to the LOOP oil spill, including the latest press releases, marine traffic notices, sampling data, and claims resources. For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.loopllc.com/info-portal or access the site using the QR code provided.

03/26/2026

Notice To Mariners traveling in the vicinity of Lake Pelto (Update to the previously posted advisory)

03/23/2026

03/19/2026

Updated Cleanup efforts continue in the Gulf and surrounding barrier islands, see link in comments for full update

03/06/2026

Notice To Mariners traveling in the vicinity of Lake Pelto

03/06/2026

A Unified Command, consisting of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office (LOSCO) and the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP), continues its recovery and cleanup efforts in the Gulf and surrounding barrier islands.

See comments below for link to full press release.

01/30/2026

Yesterday MSU Houma Inspectors conducted a Man Overboard Drill as part of our Certification Renewal Exam with one of our local Small Passenger Vessels. Part of the requirements of this drill is to verify the crew can successfully recover a person out of the water using their rescue devices onboard. This boat has a rescue platform which is the ladder seen being used to attach to the side of the vessel. The platform at the end of the ladder allows for the rescuing person to climb down and stand at the water level to safely grab an unconscious person out of the water. Harnesses are worn as a safety mitigation factor in addition to a life jacket and our training dummy weighs 180 pounds to simulate pulling a full sized person out of the water.

CWO2 Scott Peterson provided essential post recovery training which covered first aid and CPR procedures to ensure the crew was familiar with immediate first aid practices. A great job by the crew executing and using communications to recover the person Overboard safely!

01/28/2026

Recently MSU Houma welcomed Senior Chief Robert Zaabel to fill the permanent role as the Command Senior Enlisted Liason (CSEL) for the unit. He relieves Chief Andrew Shaw who has been holding the position for the past year in addition to his in addition to being the lead Chief to the busiest pollution response shop throughout the country.

The CSEL is the command liaison to the Chiefs Mess and works closely with the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard in implementation of work force initiatives.

Welcome aboard and congratulations!

01/05/2026

Marine Inspections at MSU Houma encompass many different portions. One of the most important parts of an inspection universal to all of our manned platforms is conducting emergency drills with the crews to ensure competence and communication are well established in the event of a stressful emergency. Inspectors at the unit evaluate Fire Drills, Man Overboard Drills, Abandon Ship and Security drills.

Pictured here is a fire drill taking place in a vessel's paint locker. Displaying excellent use of resources with an On Scene Leader managing the situation and personnel to assist with donning fire gear in addition to a well equipped team with fire hoses and extinguishers to extinguish the fire 🔥.

Excellent work by the crew and a passed drill from the Coast Guard 👍!