Men rescued after boat capsizes on Lake Pontchartrain

METAIRIE, La. (WVUE) – Several men were rescued after their boat capsized on Lake Pontchartrain Saturday afternoon (Aug. 24), according to the Jefferson Parish Fire Department.

The department seized a nearby boat to carry out the rescue. The boat’s owner, Larry Albaral, had just put his boat in the water for the first time.

Albaral, his son Kevin and two of his grandchildren were at the Bonnabel jetty when firefighters approached them needing help.

“We were here launching the boat and the entire fire department was there and they were asking if they could jump in because there was a rescue mission,” said Kevin Albaral.

Deputy Chief Mike Travis of the Jefferson Parish Fire Department confirmed the department requested Albaral’s boat be used to assist in the rescue.

“The man complied, and by the way, that was the first time he ever took the boat out,” Travis said.

The capsized boat was about 15 minutes from the pier and four men were in urgent need of help. Albaral, who had picked up the boat just a week earlier in Panama City, quickly agreed to help with the rescue.

“We came here just to play. We had no idea we were going to be involved in a rescue,” Albaral said. “I thought it was really cool to be able to help.”

Jefferson Parish Fire Lt. Ryan Pulao praised Albaral’s quick response. “Anybody who can give up their boat to help someone is a good person,” Pulao said.

After the rescue, Albaral expressed his gratitude for having been able to help. “I am glad I was able to help. There is nothing like it, I would do it all over again.”

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