A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued fishermen from two disabled fishing vessels Dec. 23 approximately 70 miles east of Venice, La.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report from a good Samaritan vessel Dec. 22 around 6:30 p.m. that the fishing vessel Georgia P was disabled. Another fishing vessel, the  Seahorse, responded to take the Georgia P. under tow, according to the Coast Guard.

But during the tow, the Seahorse also became disabled. The captain of the Seahorse was in need of medication, and with night approaching, deteriorating weather and poor communications, all crew members aboard agreed to be removed from the vessels. 

Watchstanders coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter. On scene the aircrew and successfully hoisted the six fishermen six people and flew them to Gulf Shores International Airport at Jack Edwards Field in Gulf Shores, Ala. 

All six men were reported to be in stable condition, and salvage plans were being coordinated by the vessel owners, according to the Coast Guard.