Audio: Hear Distress Call Reporting NJ Yacht Explosion That U.S. Coast Guard Now Says Was Likely a Hoax
Trace Gallagher reported that the U.S. Coast Guard investigators say the yacht explosion off the coast of New Jersey was “almost certainly a hoax.” In the audio released of one of the distress calls the man on the other end can be heard saying, “We have 21 souls on board, 20 in the water right now.”
The caller told the dispatcher, “I have three deceased on board.
Nine injured because of the explosion we’ve had.” He went on to describe how he was in the water and standing on the bridge, but may have to jump overboard.
Emergency crews in boast and choppers had responded to yesterday’s emergency call. When crews arrived on the scene about 17 miles off of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, they left after they didn’t find anyone where the boat supposedly sank.
Coast Guard Deputy Commander Gregory P. Hitchen said in a press conference that, “Helicopters looking down, they should’ve seen life rafts which are usually orange or red in color, and they would’ve seen smoke and they would’ve seen probably an oil slick.”
He also said that the call came from land but they are still searching for a suspect. The crime carries a maximum penalty of five to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine in addition to repaying the Coast Guard for the cost of the search.
Listen to the audio below:
