By JONATHON HOWARD
A HOAX caller who phoned Noosa Coast Guard QF5 with a fake emergency last week has been described as an “idiot”, as local police launch an investigation into the matter.
Noosa Heads police are working with the Noosa Coast Guard to track down the prankster who dialled in the fake distress call from Noosa River on Monday 14 July.
The caller contacted Noosa Coast Guard about 3am and said their vessel was stricken in the Noosa River and required towing.
And according to Noosa Coast Guard section and media officer Ian Hall, it’s not the first time Noosa Coast Guard has received a prank call.
Mr Hall said Coast Guard QF5 officers took every call extremely seriously.
“We have to take every call seriously and not knowing if someone is in need can be difficult to determine,” he said.
“Coast Guard officers responded to the call and travelled down to Noosa River only to realise it was a hoax when they did not find the vessel or caller.”
Mr Hall described the hoax caller as an “idiot”.
He said Noosa police had previously apprehended a Coast Guard hoax caller earlier this year, but the message was not getting through.
Noosa Heads police Senior Sergeant Stephen McReight, said the matter was being taken very seriously and hoax callers could face severe penalties.
Snr Sgt McReight said the courts would take a “dim view of those responsible”.
“Because this is a volunteer organisation, any false alarm costs time, resources and money to the organisation and that could also mean serious repercussions for those responsible,” he said.
“We’re working with Noosa Coast Guard to investigate this matter, but any assistance from the public would be greatly appreciated.”
Meanwhile, the Noosa Coast Guard has been busy with legitimate rescues after a six-metre fishing boat lost power at sea on Friday 18 July.
Mr Hall said a flare was fired into the air about three kilometres off Noosa’s sandbar at 10.30pm.
“There was no mobile phone on board and the vessel had lost power, so the captain fired a flare into the air, which was a good idea,” he said.
The flare was noticed by a member of the public who contacted Noosa Coast Guard.
“We towed the vessel back to the Tewantin Boat Ramp,” Mr Hall said.
Fortunately the captain was a member of the Noosa Coast Guard, which entitled him to one free tow per year.
Anyone with information that may assist police can contact Noosa police on: (07) 5440 8111. Or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
