Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District

Date: July 23, 2008
Contact: Petty Officer Shawn Eggert
206-220-7174 

COAST GUARD URGES HOAXERS TO
CONSIDER THE COST BEFORE MAKING THE CALL

SEATTLE - The Coast Guard is once again urging people to not make hoax calls to emergency responders.

Though Tuesday's case involving an emergency call from a young girl to the Coast Guard has not officially been ruled a hoax, it is important for people to know the risks and cost involved when the Coast Guard and other emergency services respond to false reports.

"Hoax and prank calls not only diminish the Coast Guard's ability to respond to real emergencies and cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars, they also needlessly place Coast Guard men and women and other first responders at risk," said Rear Admiral John Currier, Coast Guard District 13 Commander.

Every moment spent responding to a false report takes away from time that could be vital in the case of a genuine emergency.  Every time a crew goes out to respond to a case, they are putting themselves in danger and the resources including fuel, manpower, and other equipment costs also end up costing taxpayers.  It costs approximately $1,200 per hour to operate a Coast Guard 47-foot motor lifeboat, while a helicopter or larger cutter may cost from $9,000 to $12,000 per hour.  Another important factor to consider is the cost to those who are found guilty of making false reports.  Children especially should be informed of the risks involved with making false reports.

Two Oregon youths were found guilty of making several false reports in 2005 and fined a combined total of $63,884.30 and were ordered to serve a combined total of 40 days in juvenile hall. 

The Coast Guard would like to remind individuals that false distress calls place unnecessary risk on would-be rescuers and interfere with legitimate search and rescue cases.

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