Coast Guard Searching For Overdue Boater Sailing From Maine to Florida

BOSTON — The Coast Guard is searching for an overdue boater Thursday aboard the Austina, a 31-foot sailboat, who's sole crewmember departed Portland, Maine Aug. 1, enroute to Fernidina, Fla.

Missing is Stephen Crane, 61.

Crane's sister contacted Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, Fla. watchstanders at approximately 1 p.m., who relayed the information to Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders reporting the Austina did not arrive in Cape Hatteras, N.C., as expected Thursday.

Crane last reported his position Sunday, saying he was rounding Cape Cod, Mass.

Coast Guard Sectors Delaware Bay, in Philadelphia, Penn., Baltimore, Md., Hampton Roads, Va., and North Carolina are conducting call outs in an attempt to establish communications with the Austina.

Crews from Coast Guard Air Stations Cape Cod and Elizabeth City are scheduled to conduct aerial first-light searches tomorrow across the 1st District and 5th District span.

The Austina is a white, 31-foot Southern Cross sailboat.

Anyone with information of Crane's where abouts or the sailing vessel Austina are asked to contact the 1st District Command Center watchstanders at 617-223-8555 or the Coast Guard via VHF Channel 16.