ATLANTIC CITY — The Coast Guard suspended its search April 24 for a 34-year-old tow boat operator who went missing April 23 in the morning after the Coast Guard received a distress alert from an emergency position indicating radio beacon near Great Egg Harbor.
Missing is David McAuliffe.
The Coast Guard searched more than 400 square miles, for 65 combined asset hours.
“We are deeply saddened by the difficult decision to suspend our search efforts for Capt. David McAuliffe.” stated Capt. Kathy Moore, commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, in a release. “This is a man who made a career of helping others on the water, often placing himself in harm’s way to do so. Our deepest sympathies are with his family, friends and fellow mariners.”
The 45-foot Sea Tow boat Cape Hatteras departed Absecon Inlet at approximately 7:45 a.m. Tuesday en route to Great Egg Harbor, according to the boat’s owner. Three hours later, Coast Guard watchstanders received an EPIRB activation alert. The operator aboard the Cape Hatteras did not respond to cell phone or radio calls.
Assisting in the search were:
• Five MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City
• Four 45-foot Response Boat – Medium crews from Coast Guard Station Cape May
• Two 47-foot Motor Life Boat crews (including one heavy weather crew) from Coast Guard Station Atlantic City
• The crew aboard the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Finback, homeported in Cape May
• The New Jersey State Police Department
• Local police department members
• Sea Tow boat crews
• good Samaritans
Cape May County – I’d like to suggest to the Herald that they leverage spout offs draw and replace some of the ads for their paper with a few paid ads that you probably can charge a little extra for. Lots of people…
