False mayday on sea triggers Coast Guard

Multiple local marine units, including the U.S. Coast Guard, responded to a false mayday call last Saturday, May 4 at 5 p.m. The call was reported from five miles west of Gasparilla Island, described as a “verbal mayday call w/o response.” A male voice called for help, and it was reported as a watercraft in […]

Multiple local marine units, including the U.S. Coast Guard, responded to a false mayday call last Saturday, May 4 at 5 p.m. The call was reported from five miles west of Gasparilla Island, described as a “verbal mayday call w/o response.” A male voice called for help, and it was reported as a watercraft in distress.

Santiago Gomez of the Tampa Bay United States Coast Guard said that the Coast Guard sent out a vessel, but the case was characterized by an “active suspension of case” in that no boat was found, and there were no missing persons reported. 

“That happens quite often,” said Chief C.W. Blosser of the Boca Grande Fire Department said that these calls, and flare gun shots, are more frequent as we “roll into summer.”