San Francisco, California (CNN) — The U.S. Coast Guard is suspending its search off the California coast for a distressed 29-foot sailboat that was carrying a couple and two children, and explained the incident is “possibly a hoax,” Cmdr. Don Montoro said Tuesday.
The mission’s cost has reached hundreds of thousands of dollars since Sunday, he said.
Searchers have been scouring the water off San Francisco for the people distress calls said were on the boat. That included the couple, their 4-year-old child and the child’s cousin, who the Coast Guard said was younger than 8.
On Sunday afternoon, the Coast Guard received a radio communication that stated: “This is the Charm Blow, we are abandoning ship.”
The man on the radio told the Coast Guard that the boat had begun taking on water and its electronics were failing, the agency said. At that time, the boat was believed to be some 65 miles (105 kilometers) off Pillar Point, south of San Francisco.
The focus of the search had been 60 to 65 miles off Monterey Bay, said Lt. Heather Lampert, a Coast Guard spokeswoman.
Several aircraft and vessels joined the search.
15 Comments to “Coast Guard: ‘Missing Boat’ May Be Hoax”
February 25, 2013 at 2:44 PM
I hope this was not a hoax. Often the Coast Guard is good at finding people in the water. How tragic. I pray for their safety.
March 1, 2013 at 4:42 AM
Exactly my thoughts.
PaddleKing.com
February 25, 2013 at 8:59 PM
I'm afarid this must be a hoax. There was gail warning (40 kt winds) and 16 to 20ft combind seas in that area all weekend. I doubt a 29ft sailboat could even get 5 mi offshore without swamping. The smugglers are tricking the coasties. Heard the same call on the radio a month ago. After an hour of back and forth, it was clear you couldn't get 12 people in a 14ft boat, and 5 were under 5 years old. Having young children in danger is a common thread.
February 26, 2013 at 12:05 AM
Since it's been since Sunday afternoon at 4:20, the likelihood of survival is now REAL slim, to none. The water is too cold and too dangerous to stay alive that long. If the small children couldn't swim, and the ocean sure isn't a good place to find out, that's sure a factor too. The ocean isn't forgiving. What a horrible way to go.
February 26, 2013 at 7:44 AM
While a hoax on the Coast Guard is wrong on so many levels, at this point, I'm hoping it's a hoax because the alternative at this point, is worse.
February 26, 2013 at 11:41 AM
I'm figuring this has got to be a hoax, sad as it all sounds. The U.S. Coast Guard are brilliant at finding those lost or in peril on the sea, and if not a real rescue, they often will find debris. What idiots would stage a hoax? I hope they are punished one way or the other. Karma often pays off. If it wasn't a hoax, then these people are true victims of a tragic accident and are probably deceased. BUT their boat would have definitely been found.
February 26, 2013 at 12:47 PM
this should be a felony crime with the tremendous money spent, if it was a minor, juvy and let the family pay for the expenses.
February 26, 2013 at 1:24 PM
Hoax. Either immature gigglers, or smugglers getting the CG to move out of the area.