News Release
March 24, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay
24/7 duty cell: (305) 965-4672

Coast Guard seeks public help to identify hoax callers

Coast Guard officials seek the public’s help to identify hoax callers in the Cape Coral area, Monday, March 20, 2017. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Florida, watch standers received a steady stream of suspected or confirmed hoax calls over the past year; persons found guilty of a hoax call are subject to prosecution as a Class D felony and are subject to civil penalties of up to $5,000. U.S. Coast Guard video

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Coast Guard asks for the public’s help Friday to identify hoax callers in the Cape Coral area.

For the past year, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watch standers received a steady stream of suspected or confirmed hoax radio calls along the Gulf Coast – the majority of the calls are within the Cape Coral area.

The calls were made on VHF-FM marine band channel 16, a channel designated only for hailing and distress calls. A call is considered a hoax when there is an intent to deceive the Coast Guard or emergency responders.

“Hoax calls are costly to the taxpayer and our service,” said Charles ‘Marty’ Russell, resident agent-in-charge of the Coast Guard Investigative Service office in St. Petersburg. “When the Coast Guard receives a distress call, we immediately respond, putting our crews at risk, and risking the lives of boaters who may legitimately need our help.”

Penalties for making a false distress call can include six years in prison, $250,000 criminal fine, $5,000 civil fine and restitution to the Coast Guard and local agencies.

If you have any information leading to the identification of a hoax caller, please contact the Coast Guard Investigative Service tip line at 727-535-1437, ext. 2308.