Boys Accused of Making False Distress Calls
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FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Two 12-year-old boys have been charged with making false distress-at-sea calls from their school bus in a prank that set off an urgent search of Long Island Sound by the Coast Guard.
The boys made four calls over two days this week, using a hand-held VHF radio. They reported their boat had crashed into rocks and was taking on water near Bridgeport Harbor.
The Coast Guard dispatched two 41-foot boats, which spent several hours searching for the boys. A helicopter was set to take off when the boys reported that they were safely ashore.
The prank reportedly cost taxpayers about $16,000.
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