M.D.M.R. Vessel Capsizes in Mississippi Sound

A vessel owned by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (M.D.M.R.) capsized Thursday afternoon in the Mississippi Sound.

Two M.D.M.R. employees were bringing oysters from Pascagoula to Biloxi on The Conservationist, a 65-foot-vessel. The vessel capsized three miles south of Graveline Bayou. Both employees were wearing life jackets and are safe.

"Our greatest concern is for the safety of our employees," said M.D.M.R. Executive Director Jamie Miller. "We are working to recover the vessel from the water as quickly as possible, and our Marine Patrol Office is investigating the incident."

The accident happened about 3 p.m. Thursday, and Marine Patrol officers and the Coast Guard responded.

J.E. Borries, a company in Jackson County, will place boom around the vessel Thursday night and begin recovery efforts Friday morning. Marine Patrol officers will be onsite until the vessel is recovered.