Civilian pilot awarded Coast Guard award for helping boater in 2012 - Delaware Bay

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - Thomas F. Passalacqua Jr. was presented The United States Coast Guard Public Service Award at the Air Station Wednesday, Sept. 11 for his efforts to save a mariner in distress in the Delaware Bay, Oct. 14, 2012.

 While acting as pilot in command of an aircraft flying above the Delaware Bay, Passalacqua spotted an overturned boat and a person in the water about three miles north of the Cape May Ferry Terminal.

Passalacqua reported the distress and remained on scene for more than an hour, providing updates, vectoring the Coast Guard responders to the scene and using his presence to assure the person in the water that help was coming.

Story and Photo:  http://www.shorenewstoday.com