NEW BERN, N.C., Oct. 28 (UPI) -- The North Carolina Coast Guard is turning to the public for help identifying an unknown prankster whose multiple fake distress calls have cost the Guard over $150,000.
The defense agency has released audio of the prank calls and is offering $2,000 for any information leading to an arrest and conviction of whomever is issuing SOS calls for the "Hook, Line and Sinker."
"During the months of September through December of 2012-2013 and September through October of 2014, a similar male voice broadcast similar distress calls to Sector North Carolina personnel from the area surrounding the junction of the Neuse and Trent Rivers near New Bern on seven different occasions, with the most recent call on Oct. 16," described the North Carolina Coast Guard in an official statement.
"The Coast Guard issued urgent marine information broadcasts and launched response boat crews, helicopter crews or both in each instance. The combined response efforts to the calls is estimated to have cost the Coast Guard more than $150,000. That cost does not include the expense of local fire department crews or Marine Corps rescue helicopter crews who also responded as a result of the calls."
If caught and convicted, the prank caller faces "a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, an $8,000 civil penalty and mandatory reimbursement to the Coast Guard for the cost of performing the search."
"When the Coast Guard dispatches vessels and aircraft for false distress broadcasts, it obligates limited resources to unnecessary searches and puts additional costs on the Coast Guard and the taxpayer," explained Lt. Lane Munroe, command center chief and public affairs officer at Sector North Carolina.
"Above all else, it puts the lives of our personnel at risk. We are asking anyone with information about this caller to please come forward."
Persons with information that may lead to an arrested are urged to call 910-343-3880.
