[Scan-DC] AUDIO RELEASE: Coast Guard seeks assistance in identifying Seneca Creek hoax caller

[Alan Henney]

VIDEO RELEASE: Coast Guard seeks assistance in identifying Seneca Creek hoax caller
http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2206189/

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/350634/coast-guard-seeks-assistance-identifying-seneca-creek-hoax-caller#.U833R0D5e30


From: Public Affairs Detachment Baltimore 
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2014 3:51 PM
To: alan at henney.com 
Subject: VIDEO RELEASE: Coast Guard seeks assistance in identifying Seneca Creek hoax caller


VIDEO RELEASE: Coast Guard seeks assistance in identifying Seneca Creek hoax caller

BALTIMORE — The Coast Guard requests the public's assistance in locating a hoax caller who made 11 false distress calls June 21 and several more in July.

All false distress calls were determined to have originated from the Seneca Creek area and involved the same male voice transmitting over VHF-FM marine radio channel 16.

The Coast Guard's cost for the searches is estimated to be approximately $15,000.

In addition to the financial cost, there is significant operational impact caused by making false distress calls.

"Making false distress calls limits the Coast Guard and our rescue partners' capabilities to assist those boaters who are in actual emergency situations," said Capt. Kevin Kiefer, commander of Coast Guard Sector Baltimore. "Hoax radio calls also place first responders in unneccesary danger as they work to assist the boating public."

Making a false distress call is a felony, and the maximum penalty for making a false distress call is six years in prison, a $5,000 civil fine, a $250,000 criminal fine and reimbersement to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard Investigative Service is offering a reward of $2,000 for information that leads to the positive identification of the person involved with the hoax call.

Anyone with information that can help identify the caller is asked to contact Coast Guard Investigative Service Baltimore at 410-576-2696.

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