Coast Guard: Mayday call about Maine vessel a probable hoax

ROCKLAND, Maine (AP) — The Coast Guard said Thursday it’s calling off a search for three fishermen off the Maine coast because the mayday call appears to have been a hoax.

Crews from Maine and Massachusetts responded to a mayday call placed at 6:30 a.m. about the vessel, a Coast Guard spokesperson said. The Coast Guard and Maine Marine Patrol were searching for the three people in the water just south of Spruce Head, Maine, the spokesperson said.

The Coast Guard said at midday on Thursday that there are no indications of distress or missing people in the area and it has suspended the search.

#HappeningNow: Rescue crews from @USCG Station Rockland, Air Station Cape Cod, and the Maine Marine Patrol are searching for three people in the water just south of Sprucehead, #ME after their 42-foot fishing vessel began taking on water early this morning.#SAR

— USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) December 3, 2020

#UPDATE @USCGNortheast crews have suspended the search pending further information due to a probable hoax.

There are no indications of distress or missing persons in the area.#SAR

— USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) December 3, 2020