Marine radio threat investigated at Fourchon

A possible threat made over marine radio airwaves last Tuesday morning is being investigated by U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities.

Port Fourchon spokeswoman Paula Schouest said Harbor Police received the transmission around 10 a.m. Tuesday. A man with a Middle Eastern accent allegedly demanded authorities contact him within 30 minutes at a specific number or he would cause harm, she said.

Repeated attempts to launch the given number remained unanswered, Schouest said. “We’re not certain if it was a prankster or a legitimate threat, but the port immediately launched our emergency protocol.”

Coast Guard marine patrols were stepped up throughout the day, Schouest said, although marine traffic remained open. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Crisis Management Unit – similar to a SWAT team – also patrolled the area.

The Port Fourchon Harbor Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Coast Guard and the sheriff’s office continue to investigate the incident.

Authorities said marine radios operate on open wavelengths and are virtually untraceable.