U.S. Coast Guard looking for hoax distress caller

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The U.S. Coast Guard is looking for an individual that has been making fake distress calls at the entrance of the Columbia River near Warrenton.

The calls could also be coming from near Seaside or Chinook.

Since April, the U.S. Coast Guard has received 22 false distress calls, all believed to have come from the same person.

“False maydays waste valuable time and resources, but most importantly it potentially puts responding personnel in danger and can interfere with legitimate search and rescue cases,” said Capt. Bill Timmons, commander, Sector Columbia River.

The suspect making these calls is thought to be a white man, 35 to 40-years old with an East Coast to Southeastern Coast accent, officials said.

To hear one of the fake distress calls, click here.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the U.S. Coast Guard at 503.338.9021.