Search and rescue efforts were continuing offshore Louisiana late Wednesday for 12 people who were missing after a commercial liftboat with a crew of 19 capsized.

As of midday Wednesday, six people had been rescued, with one person confirmed dead after a Seacor Power liftboat, with a beam of 129 feet, capsized about 4:30 p.m. CT Tuesday. 

The vessel capsized during an unusual weather event in which winds gusted by 80-90 mph and waves crested as high as nine feet, according to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Capt. Will E. Watson, sector commander in New Orleans, discussed the rescue efforts during a press conference on Wednesday.  

“What we know is that weather conditions at the time…80-90 mph winds, would be challenging under any circumstances,” Watson said. “We did have...