Two 12-Year-Olds Charged With Making Bogus Distress-at-Sea Calls
Two 12-year-old boys have been charged with making false distress-at-sea calls from their school bus in a prank that set off an urgent search of Long Island Sound by the Coast Guard.
The boys made four calls over two days last week, using a hand-held VHF radio. They reported their boat had crashed into rocks and was taking on water near Bridgeport Harbor.
The Coast Guard dispatched two 41-foot boats, which spent several hours searching for the boys. A helicopter was set to take off when the boys reported that they were safely ashore.
“This is dangerous business,” said John D. Strauser, Coast Guard chief warrant officer.
“We have to respond. Even when we think there is a possibility they’re not being truthful, we’re going to respond the same as the fire department and police department.”
Strauser said the prank cost taxpayers about $16,000.
The boys’ names were not released because they are juveniles.
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