Kathy Moore News

Jordan-based Arab Ship Management Ltd. pleaded guilty today in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, to one count of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, the Justice Department and the U.S. Coast Guard announced. In accordance with the terms of the plea agreement, Arab Ship Management  Ltd. was sentenced to pay a criminal penalty totaling $500,000 and be placed on probation for two years, during which time ships operated by the company will be banned from calling on ports of the United States.

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search 8:15 p.m. Wednesday for a 34-year-old tow boat operator who went missing Tuesday 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 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. 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.