Coast Guard reward to catch fake 'mayday' caller - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Coast Guard reward to catch fake 'mayday' caller

Posted: Updated:

MONROE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - The U.S. Coast Guard has announced a $3,500 reward for help in catching a man who's made at least 20 fake "mayday" calls on a marine radio operating in the Monroe area.
    
The Coast Guard's Cleveland office says the man began calling in 2010, making claims such as that his boat is sinking. The Coast Guard is posting 15 recordings to see if anyone recognizes the man's voice.
    
Lt. Justin Westmiller in Detroit says the calls could cause a disaster by diverting rescuers from a real emergency.
    
He says the prank caller uses marine band radio VHF-FM Channel 16. It's the international hailing and distress frequency.
    
Westmiller says the calls come from the Bolles Harbor area on Lake Erie in Monroe County's Monroe Township.

  • Top Stories

  • Monday, May 20 2013 11:11 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:11:56 GMT
    A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods with winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were reported killed.
    A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods with winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were reported killed.
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:32 AM EDT2013-05-21 09:32:19 GMT
    Toledo firefighters are on the scene of a house fire on the city's East side. Firefighters were called to a home on Thurston Street between Woodville Road and Starr Avenue just after four this morning. There
    Toledo firefighters battled flames at two homes on Toledo's East side Tuesday morning.
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:23:10 GMT
    A twister ripped through the Lake Township area almost three years ago. The community is pretty much back to normal, but residents still remember the horror that hit their neighborhood in 2010.
    A twister ripped through the Lake Township area almost three years ago. The community is pretty much back to normal, but residents still remember the horror that hit their neighborhood in 2010.

Area Events Calendar

See It, Shoot It, Send It!