Navy Crewman Dies , Chopper Crashes in Stirf

by Jacob Schaad Jr. CAPE MAY — While bathers watched in shock, a Navy helicopter crashed in the ocean just beyond the surf here Monday afternoon. One crewman lost his life; three others were saved thru the efforts of Cape May lifeguards and a Coast Guard

helicopter crew.

The mishap occurred at l:55p.m . about 200 yards off the Second Ave. beach The'

porarily assigned'' to the Whitri helicopter is pa/t of 3 combat i squadron out of the Norfolk (Va.) I Air Station WHEN THE CRASH occurred, five menibers of the city's beach patrol and a .former lifeguard rowed thru the surf in two lifeboats and kept the Navy survivors afloat until a Coast Guard rescue helicopter arrived on scene and

..as it hit water, it busted apart...

fwrtet

CIVILIAN DIVER Dave Masterson of North Cape May. Cape May Police Sgt. Bob Boyd and an unidentified city lifeguard load diving gear aboard a Coast Guard helicopter for a short lift beyond the surf to the submerged Navy helicopter where divers found the bodv

of a Navy crewman in the wreckage.

-V

helicopter was returning to the USS Mt Whitney, a command and communications ship stationed off the New Jersey coast, after a routine personnel transport mis sion to Andrews Air Force Base.

Washington. D C <

The CH 46 helicopter, capable of transporting 17 people, weighs over 13.000 lbs. and is 84 ft. long and 16 ft. high Tern

CARE MAY

COUNTY

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Vol.17 No.25 i'lfnSMwovaCorp All nghft r*««rv*d

June 23,1982

Muziani Wavering On Drinking Age Decision WILDWOOD — With the day nearing when the state Assembly will have to decide whether the legal drinking age in New Jersey should be raised from 19 to 21, Assemblyman Guy Muziani, R-Cape May/Cumberland, now says he hasn't decided which way to vote on the issue. Asked Friday if he still supports raising the age, as reported earlier, the assemblyman — who is also mayor of this resort popular with youth — said he’s approaching the issue with “an open mind.” he said he hasn't yet seen the amended bill that went back to committee for review, noting that his decision will be made "orlce I see what the bill says." ACKNOWLEDGING THAT there has been ’'some" local lobbying going on to encourage him to vote against the bill, he contended that "when I vote on this bill I'm voting as a representative of the whole First District, not as mayor of Wildwood.” The assemblyman added that the bill could come before the Assembly as early ps June 21 or June 24 — the last two scheduled sessions before the legislature’s summer recess. The legislation to up the minimum age for consuming and purchasing alcoholic beverages was approved by the Senate June 10. Included among those voting in favor of the bill sponsored by Sen. Frank Graves, D-Passaic, was Sen. James (Page 15 Please)

Dangers Lurk at Surfside

(Editor's note: This ia the story about a particularly dangerous place in one resort to fish or swim. But practically every waterfront has its own hidden dangers. Bathers should never swim in an area without lifeguards. And it's not a bad idea even in protected areas, to ask the guards about any precautionsjou should take.) by Terry Xughes AVALON — The Avalon Beach Patrol is fighting a Trojan Horse. How can you make the bathing public realize that the in-

Oorl* Ward DARTH VADER playfully strongarms Robbie Lam of Avalon while his companion Ernie Yarborough of Avalon waits his turn — for an autograph — during the Burdette Tomlin Hospital Horse Show last weekend at Meadow Creek Farm, Clermont.

transfwrted the three men to the recruit training center infirmary at the other end of town. At least one private civilian boat participated in the rescue effort also. The fourth crewman was trapped in Bie helicopter and was presumed to be dead. A civilian diver said he saw a body in the wreckage beneath the surface. He was identified by the Navy as George Elkins.

< Page 15 Please)

The

viting 8th St. beach, which appears placid and serene, borders a very unpredictable and sometimes very dangerous body of water — Townsends Inlet? Last year, a catamaran smashed into the rock jetty when the wind failed. One month ago, before the beach "opened" for the season a woman was caught in the strong currents heading into the inlet. Frightened, she tried to grab onto the rocks to save herself; suffering leg bruises and cuts in the process. 1. Five days later, in the early\evening, a seven-year-old boy was wading in shallow water. Inadvertently, he stepped into one of the many hidden, deep holes. Dropping off of the edge of the shore, he was sucked out tnto the inlet. Luckily, his father was able to swim out and save him. PERHAPS THE MOST serious accident occurred last summer. A fisherman was casting into the inlet. He was standing in knee-deep water. Taking one step forward, he slipped off the steep edge that runs very close to the shoreline and went down in the water. His line wrapped around his neck choking him and resulting in a heart attack. A lifeguard saved him by administering CPR and calling for the emergency rescue service. The beach patrol is vpry concerned about the possibility of future unforseen accidents. "I would just hope that, people would stay away from the inlet, ll is very tricky water, and vacationers don't realize the force of the water rushing through the inlet," said Lt. Edward Flory. LT. DANIEL O'MALLEY, naval architecture major at the Univ. of California, whose area specialty is fluid dynamics, explained the physic^ behind the rushing water in the inlet. "The incoming tide creates an incoming tidal current of about three knots and vice(Page 15 Please)

NeWSs

, . Week's DlgeSt top Stories Drowns in Surf WILDWOOD — A Camden teenager, identified as Muise Alamo, was pronounced dead shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday at Burdette Tomlin Hospital after his body was recovered in the surf, about 4 hours after he went under while bathing when a wave knocked him over on the Baker

Ave. beach

Strong currents prevented the boy's uncle and other adults from resucing the 16-year-old. and several of the would-be ‘rescuers had themselves to be helped back to the beach. Lifeguards and Coast Guard men searched for the boy. whose body was found in the surf off Davis Ave.^ two blocks away Beer & Wine Push The owners of several county restaurants without liquor, licenses are moving full speed ahead in their quest for legislation establishing wine and beer licences in New Jersey. At least 40 local restaurants have now shown an interest in the lobbying movement. The group, which held a meeting last week, intends to meet again 9:30 a.m, today (June 23) at Garrabrant’s Seafood Restaurant in North Wildwood, Life in Prison COURT HOUSE — Anthony Landolfi of Green Creek — convicted of last June's stabbing death of Cold Spring resident Robert Harry Smith — was sentenced in Superior Court here last week to life in prison with a mandatory 25 years to be served before being eligible for parole Landolfi — who had previous criminal records including assaults on police officers and resisting arrest — reportedly killed Smith in order to win favor of the victim's girlfriend. Again Prosecutor WILDWOOD — Local attorney John Corino was tapped by Gov. Thomas Kean Thursday to succeed county prosecutor Donald Charles. Charles, who has served more than five years as Cape May County’s chief law enforcement offical, is (Page 28 Please)

The House that Helped A Town Relive the Past

BY John Andrtis CAfE MAY - The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts has made dramatic changes here in the past dozen years. "Since our birth 12 years ago, we have been aggressive leaders in programs to attract increasing numbers of interested

the efforts to develop a year-round

season."

His remarks prefaced a private showing for those who have supported the MidAtlantic Center over the years. It included the unveiling of the center’s outdoor stage, and the new. enclosed Victorian-style

The mouldering mansion became a rallying point

visitors to our beautiful Landmark City. " Herbert Beitel, the center’s president, told a group of MAC supporters recently. "We are quite proud of our role in the success of

trolley on wheels (which has been in use the past few weeks) LIKE ALL MAC events and facilities, (Page 14 Please)