Hoaxers repeatedly targetting RNLI and Coastguard

A series of false local reports to the RNLI and Coastguard about vessels in distress are being investigated by the police.

The first incident involved a report on social media of a vessel in distress off the Lossiemouth coast on Monday, June 17.

The coastguard was mobilised but no vessel was found to be in distress.

Since then there have been further false reports of vessels in distress off Buckie and Sandend.

Sergeant Robbie Williams said: "Any report of distress to the emergency services will be taken seriously and these reports have led to the intensive use of time and resources by both the RNLI and the Coastguard.

"Any information about a hoax to us will be thoroughly investigated with all resources available to us utilised.

"We would ask that anyone who has information in relation to these incidents gets in touch with police on 101 using reference number CF0152490619."

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