Hunt for 'idiot' mayday hoaxer
COASTGUARDS yesterday appealed for information about an "idiot" hoaxer who called them out three times in the last few weeks.
On each occasion a mayday call was received from a vessel called Queen Victoria, which led to rescue teams and RAF helicopters scouring the north Devon coastline.
Graham Warlow, watch officer at Swansea Coastguard, said: "It is essential we stop this idiot. We are taking away resources from their normal locations and if there had been other emergencies at the same time, then we may have had a much more serious situation developing."
A spokesman for the coastguard said the bill for responding to the hoax signals would "run into thousands of pounds".
The latest call was received at 5.10pm on Monday this week.
A man purporting to be on board the Queen Victoria said he was in a position two nautical miles northeast of Barnstaple Quay, and needed urgent assistance. A rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor was scrambled.
The second false distress call was made at 1.30pm on January 31, when the same vessel claimed to be sinking.
As a result, Hartland, Westward Ho! and Instow coastguard rescue teams were sent.
The first hoax call came at 2.26pm on January 20, which was received on the Hartland Point Coastguard aerial. The rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor was scrambled.
He also urged anyone with information to call Swansea Coastguard, in confidence, on 01792