Possible connection between hoax distress calls - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Possible connection between hoax distress calls

The Coast Guard is hoping new information released about similarities between two distress calls will help them find the person or person who radioed them in.

"It is not clear if the same individual made both calls," said Capt. Greg Hitchen during a news conference on Wednesday.

The caller claimed there were three dead, nine injured and 20 in the water off Sandy Hook, N.J. after an explosion on the vessel the 'Blind Date.'

Nothing was found, and authorities later determined the hoax call on June 11 at about 4:20 p.m. came from land.

On May 20, The Coast Guard searched for six people reported missing after a mayday call saying they were abandoning their sinking fishing boat in the waters off Galveston, Texas.

"The caller used terms a mariner doesn't usually use," said Hitchen.

Among the unique language used were the phrases "taking on water;" "souls aboard;" and "orange life rafts."

The caller also gave his location in tenths of a mile, not the norm for boaters, added Hitchens.

The penalty for calling in a hoax distress call to the Coast Guard is up to six years in prison, a $250,000 fine and reimbursement of all U.S. government expenses prosecuting the case.

Anyone with information about the caller or callers is encouraged to contact the Coast Guard at 212-668-7048 or 646-872-5774.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.