Coast Guard continues searching harbor for missing marathoner

By Jeannie M. Nuss, Globe Correspondent

The Coast Guard continued its search this morning of Boston Harbor for a 60-year-old Quincy man who apparently fell off a boat last night en route to the Winthrop Yacht Club.

A Jayhawk helicopter took to the air at first light to look for Anthony Tufo, who fell off the Nina Maria, a 34-foot pleasure boat that left from Deer Island at 6 p.m., said Coast Guard Petty Officer Connie Terrell. During the search last night, the Coast Guard discovered Tufo's shoes, she said.

This morning the Coast Guard had two small vessels -- a 25-footer and 41-footer -- searching the water. The effort also included boats from fire departments in Quincy, Winthrop, and Hull, the Massachusetts Port Authority, and state environmental police. Several State Police boats and an underwater drive team were also in the harbor.

Six people were aboard the Nina Maria when someone noticed that Tufo was missing, Terrell said. He was reportedly not wearing a life vest when he fell overboard and was last seen wearing tan shorts and no shirt, Terrell said.

Tufo ran in the Boston Marathon in April, finishing in just under 4 hours and 24 minutes. His family declined to comment last night.

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