Date: Dec. 13, 2005
Contact: PA2 Adam Eggers
(206) 220-7237

COAST GUARD IDENTIFIES BROOKINGS, ORE., HOAX CALLERS

SEATTLE - The Coast Guard has identified three teenagers suspected of making four hoax calls in Brookings Harbor, Ore., which expended several thousand dollars during more than 20 hours of searching by Coast Guard and local responders.

Anonymous callers provided crucial tips that led to the teenagers and will receive a Crime Stoppers reward.

The first hoax call was received by the Coast Guard in early October from an individual claiming to be on a disabled recreational vessel.  For nine hours, two 47-foot motor lifeboats and a mobile shore unit from Coast Guard Station Chetco River, Ore., and an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station North Bend, Ore., searched for a boater in distress.

In mid October and again at the end of October, the Coast Guard received radio transmissions from vessels claiming to be in distress and in need of assistance.  During those cases, two 47-foot motor lifeboats, three mobile land units and a 25-foot response boat were launched to assist.

The Curry County Sheriff and Brookings Police assisted the Coast Guard with the investigation. 

The Coast Guard, in collaboration with other federal, state and local agencies, is considering enforcement options.

Media interested in conducting interviews about these hoax cases should contact Master Chief Dunn at (541) 469-2242.

The Coast Guard reminds individuals that false distress calls place unnecessary risk on would-be rescuers and interfere with legitimate search and rescue cases.  False calls also cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.  It costs approximately $1,200 per hour to operate a Coast Guard 47-foot motor lifeboat, while a helicopter or larger cutter may cost from $9,000 to $12,000 an hour. 

A player that connects to the .mp3 file of one of the hoax calls can be found by clicking here.