3-19-2019
SEATTLE, Wash. — The Coast Guard is imploring people to stop making fake mayday reports after receiving two in the Puget Sound area last weekend.
One call from Whidbey Island was made where a child’s voice was heard saying, “Mayday Mayday this is India Golf Nine-er Nine-er Ligma Ligma.”
Another, tracked to the vicinity of the Everett Marina, reported a boat was on fire, and transmitted someone saying, “Shut up you filthy animal.”
In both cases a Coast Guard personnel requested more information regarding the distress, and no further transmissions resulted.
If a person is found guilty of a hoax call to the Coast Guard, they could face six years in prison and a $250,000 criminal fine.
“Hoax calls waste valuable time and resources, but more importantly it puts responding personnel in danger and can interfere with legitimate search and rescue cases,” said Lt. Commander Brook Serbu.