12 rescued by Coast Guard from research ship

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Twelve crew members aboard a research ship are recovering in Mobile after abandoning ship and being rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile received a call from the District Command Center from New Orleans requesting assistance rescuing the men about 141 miles south of Pensacola, Friday morning.

"Their ship was called the Seaprobe. So they just came out and said, ‘This is the crew of the Seaprobe. We are abandoning ship in this position.’ And I let them know we are out there that we would be overhead in a minute,” said U.S Coast Guard member Zack Mundy.

Officials said water was coming into the engine room on the boat and the men were planning to abandon ship. The crew was rescued from three rafts in the Gulf and suffered minor injuries.

"Three people were taken to the hospital. Two of them had some back injuries, and one of them had some burning skin because he had been exposed to diesel fuel down below. So other folks had been exposed to diesel but they are okay," said Commander David Saunders.

Rescuers said the crewmembers were well-prepared.

“They did everything right so we found them and was happy to get them on board and get them home to their families,” said Lieutenant Commander Gary Scott.

The rescue crew said they aren't heroes; they were just doing their job.

"Seeing these guys when they finally got off the plane, and they were happy. Knowing that you got them home; it’s an amazing feeling," said Aviation Technician Robert McDonald.

The rescue was a coordinated effort between ATC Mobile and Air Station Clearwater, Florida.