Coast Guard conducts operation seeking public assistance

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Lindberg | Petty Officer 2nd Class Travis Deichl, a member of Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, hands a flyer Tuesday, April 16, 2013, to Justin Gonzalez, a worker at Weaver’s Marine Service in Baltimore, with information about Operation Mayday. The Coast Guard visited marinas in Maryland and Washington D.C., to inform the boating community about the operation, which highlights the dangers and criminal penalties of making false distress calls. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Lindberg  

BALTIMORE, MD, UNITED STATES

04.23.2013

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Lindberg 

U.S. Coast Guard District 5   

BALTIMORE - The Coast Guard in Maryland and Washington is conducting the 2nd Operation Mayday from April 15 to May 15.

During the operation, the Coast Guard will visit marinas to inform boaters about the dangers of making false distress calls - a felony punishable by law.

“Since April 1st, 2012, under Operation Mayday, the Coast Guard has visited over 170 marinas in Maryland and Washington, D.C.,” said Otis E. Harris Jr., special agent in charge at Coast Guard Investigative Service Chesapeake Region.

By visiting marinas, the Coast Guard is looking to the boating community for any knowledge on false distress calls.

“The Coast Guard is asking for the public to be vigilant, to help identify those individuals responsible for false distress calls, and [we’re] counting on those with information to come forward,” said Harris. “No bit of information, no matter how seemingly inconsequential, is too small. Each piece moves us forward toward justice. It is extremely important to contact us with any information regarding false distress calls.”

Coast Guard Investigative Service Baltimore has established a 24-hour telephone line to report anyone who is suspected of making false distress calls. Anyone with information is asked to call 410-576-2696.

The maximum penalty for making a false distress call is six years in prison, a $5,000 civil fine, a $250,000 criminal fine and reimbursement to the Coast Guard.

• Date Taken: 04.23.2013
• Date Posted: 04.23.2013 14:21
• Story ID: 105680
• Location: BALTIMORE, MD, US