Seismic survey vessel abandoned after fire in Gulf of Mexico

October 16, 2026

All 42 people aboard a seismic survey vessel were reported safe after a fire broke out approximately 100 nautical miles south of Grand Isle, Louisiana, on Monday, 12 October.

The US Coast Guard confirmed that the crew of the Rem Andes had initiated an evacuation, with personnel leaving the vessel in life rafts. Nearby commercial vessels responded to assist, taking people aboard while Coast Guard aircraft remained in the area to help establish that everyone had been accounted for.

According to local broadcaster WVUE Fox 8, the fire had been brought under control by approximately 14:45 local time. However, rescue operations involving those in lifeboats were still under way at that time. Initial reports indicated that no injuries had occurred.

Grand Isle Police Chief Chris Hernandez said two oilfield vessels heading towards Port Fourchon had assisted in the rescue. The Coast Guard also deployed the USCGC Yellowfin, a Marine Protector-class patrol boat based in Charleston, South Carolina.

Vessel tracking data indicated that the Rem Andes reduced speed and began drifting away from its usual survey route at around 09:55. Subsequent reports placed the vessel drifting northeast, approximately 90 nautical miles south of Whiskey Island, Louisiana.

The vessel had spent at least the previous 12 months conducting seismic surveys across the deepwater US continental shelf, operating from Gulfport and Port Fourchon.

Measuring 87.9 metres in length, the Rem Andes is operated by Rem Offshore and managed by Rem Maritime. Between late 2024 and mid-2025, it was among three vessels involved in a three-dimensional ocean-bottom-node seismic survey in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The project was carried out by PXGEO on behalf of WesternGeco.