BALTIMORE (AP) — The Coast Guard is searching for someone it says has made six false distress calls in Maryland.
The Coast Guard says each call originated from the Middle River area northeast of Baltimore. The Coast Guard says a male made the calls over VHF-FM channel 16 between May 1 and June 1.
The calls led to four searches involving multiple air and boat crews. The Coast Guard estimates its cost for the searches is about $70,000.
The Coast Guard’s Baltimore sector commander, Capt. Kevin Kiefer, says making false distress calls limits the Coast Guard’s ability to respond to real emergencies.
Making a false distress call is a felony that carries a possible six-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine, among other things.
