KEY POINTS:
Frustrated police say they will not hesitate to prosecute after a hoax marine distress call in Auckland last night.
Rescue services received a distressed call from a man reporting his boat, Spanner, was leaking. That prompted a major rescue response costing several thousands dollars.
A rescue helicopter, the police launch Deodar and two coastguard boats began searching for the Spanner after the distress call from a very high frequency (VHF) channel 16 marine radio.
Nothing was found and police said today the call was a hoax.
John Saunders, from the police maritime unit, said they could not even be sure the call was from a boat.
It could have been from a hand-held VHF unit on shore.
He said the operator who took the call had early doubts but rescue services had no choice but to turn out.
Mr Saunders said police would not hesitate to prosecute anyone found making a hoax call.
He said there had been "quite a lot" of hoax calls recently, several from children who may have been playing in boats and making a call without the knowledge of their parents.
- NZPA
