2 boats working on oyster relocation capsize in Bayou Caddy

HANCOCK COUNTY -- Two oyster boats capsized Monday in Bayou Caddy while taking part in the state Department of Marine Resources' oyster relocation program.

DMR Marine Patrol boats responded to the capsized boats and helped recover one, but the other sank, DMR representative Melissa Scallan said.

A third boat had mechanical problems and had to be towed back to its dock by a DMR Maring Patrol unit.

Scallan said it's unclear why the two boats capsized.

Oyster fishermen began working for the DMR on Monday as part of an effort to transplant oysters to several reefs along the Coast that won't be affected by the fresh water released by the Jan. 10 opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway.

DMR officials expect the project to be completed by Thursday.

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 8:06 PM with the headline "2 boats working on oyster relocation capsize in Bayou Caddy ."