Shocking Audio of New Jersey “Hoax Call” Released [LISTEN]

The Coast Guard has just released a recording of the distress call that prompted an extensive search and rescue operation and mass casualty receptions areas to be set up yesterday following a reported yacht explosion off the coast of New Jersey, and what you will hear is nearly unbelievable.

Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service New York received the distress call on VHF channel 14 at approximately 4:20 p.m., Monday, June 11, reportedly from the master of the yacht “Blind Date”.  On the call, the man stated the vessel suffered an explosion and was taking on water and went into explicit detail on the extent of what had occurred, specifically stating that there were 21 people onboard with 9 injured, 3 casualties and 20 people in the water.   The man then said that he was going to stay by the radio as long as he could, but the vessel lost power and was quickly taking on water so he had to move to a solar-powered radio. He went on to give the position of 17.5 miles east of Sandy Hook, N.J.

I’m going to go ahead and say that this was no joke call made by some pranksters. The caller knew specifically what he was doing, but why?

Listen up and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

The Coast Guard is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person responsible for making the false distress call.  The Coast Guard said Tuesday that the call likely came from land, from either southern New York or New Jersey.

The response to the call was estimated to cost more than $318,000, not including the cost of triage and amublance stations which were stood up along the shoreline.

Updated: March 15, 2017 (Originally published June 12, 2012)

Editorial Standards · Corrections · About gCaptain

Subscribe for Daily Maritime Insights

Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update

— trusted by our 104,355 members