Oil platform on fire in Gulf of Mexico

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"We are not certain what this platform was used for, but often these platforms are used for storing oil for transshipment," McNamara said.

The platform is located about 80 miles south of Vermillion Bay, Louisiana, and is approximately 12 miles from the nearest shore. It is roughly 150 miles west of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil well, which has just been successfully plugged after leaking 4.9 million barrels of oil over approximately 86 days in the largest oil leak catastrophe in U.S. history.

There is currently a federally imposed moratorium on oil drilling in the Gulf.

Although no drilling was going on from the Mariner Energy platform, the company reported an oil sheen on the surface of the water near the platform that is approximately one nautical mile long and about 100 feet wide, the Coast Guard said.

"An oil sheen is not always indicative of an oil leak," McNamara said.

The 13 crew members were picked up by the Crystal Clear, an offshore supply vessel for the platforms that happened to be in the area.

"The crew members were found huddled together in the water wearing safety suits," Masaschi said. "They were taken by the Crystal Clear to another platform. From there they were airlifted to Terrebone General Medical Center in Houma, Louisiana."

Seven Coast Guard helicopters, two airplanes and three cutters were dispatched to the scene from New Orleans, Houston and Mobile, the USCG said.

"We do not yet know who is fighting the fire or if a decision has been made to let it burn," McNamara said.