Coast Guard Continues Search For Missing 32-year-old Tow Boat Operator

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Coast Guard continues to search Tuesday for a 32-year-old tow boat operator after the Coast Guard received a distress alert from an emergency position indicating radio beacon near Great Egg Harbor.

Missing is David McAuliffe.

The 45-foot Sea Tow boat Cape Hatteras departed Absecon Inlet at approximately 7:45 a.m. with one person aboard and was en route to Great Egg Harbor, according to the boat's owner. At about 10:45 a.m., Coast Guard watchstanders received an EPIRB activation alert. The operator aboard the Cape Hatteras did not respond to cell phone or radio calls.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, a 45-foot Response Boat – Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Cape May and the crew of the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Finback, homeported in Cape May, and members from several local shoreline police departments are searching for the missing tow boat operator.  Members from the New Jersey State Police also assisted in the search.

It was reported Cape Hatteras had survival equipment aboard, including two survival suits and two life rafts.