HOAX FEARS AFTER SEARCHES FAIL TO LOCATE VESSEL IN DISTRESS

Fears that a hoaxer may be at work have been raised after Freshwater Independent Lifeboat was tasked to investigate 2 faint distress calls this evening (Monday).  At 16:45, Solent Coastguard requested the assistance of Freshwater Lifeboat after a broken message was heard on the marine band Channel 16. The message suggested that a boat was in difficulty in the Freshwater Bay area. After conducting a shoreline search of the area, nothing was found. Just over an hour later, at 17:58, Solent Coastguard paged the volunteer crew for an immediate launch when another broken call was heard on Channel 16. This time, the message described a vessel with 2 persons on board experiencing a blackout 1 mile south of Freshwater Bay. The Freshwater Lifeboat crew swiftly launched the D-Class lifeboat to a position 1 mile South of Freshwater Bay. A thorough expanding search of the area was carried out over 30 minutes, with moderate conditions and good night visibility. Nothing was found. Solent Coastguard decided to stand the lifeboat down shortly before 19:30 as it was believed that no vessel was in fact in difficulty at the reported location.