by Nick Delgado

Guam – The US Coast Guard Sector Guam received a distress call early
this morning that turned out be a hoax. According to USCG officials, a
radio call came in to the joint rescue sub center at 7am where a
child's voice was heard saying, "Mayday, mayday." A SH-60 helicopter
was launched to investigate the call, but no indications of distress
were found during the search. The search was suspended at 12pm. The
Coast Guard warns that a false distress call is a felony and the
penalties include prison time, criminal and civil fines, and
reimbursement to the Coast Guard for costs incurred in responding to
the false call.

Lt. Cmdr. Morgan Roper states, "Every Mayday call received by the
Coast Guard is treated as an actual distress case. Hoax calls
needlessly tie up resources that are required to maintain a high state
of readiness to respond to those who truly are in distress." Radio
owners are encouraged to take steps to prevent fraudulent calls by
removing radios or locking them up when not in use, teaching children
appropriate use, and reporting suspected hoax callers to the Coast
Guard at 671-564-USCG.