CLEVELAND – As summer boating picks up in Lake Michigan communities such as Manitowoc and Sheboygan, the U.S. Coast Guard is warning that fake distress calls can put lives at risk and carry serious federal penalties.
The U.S. Coast Guard said July 15 that command center watchstanders in the Great Lakes District have received 187 false distress calls since January 2026. Three of those were confirmed hoaxes, the Coast Guard said.
False distress calls can divert crews from real emergencies
A hoax may include knowingly and willfully sending a false distress message to the Coast Guard.
A false distress alert can also happen because of a misunderstanding, accidental transmission or outdated information.
Either way, the Coast Guard said false reports can trigger search-and-rescue responses that drain time, equipment and personnel from real emergencies on the Great Lakes.
That is especially concerning during the summer boating season, when Wisconsin residents and visitors are on Lake Michigan, inland harbors and other Great Lakes waters.
“Intentionally misleading emergency responders is both dangerous and illegal,” said Capt. Mark Kuperman, chief of staff for the Great Lakes District, in the news release. “Every false distress report creates a ripple effect across the entire emergency response community, draining valuable time and resources from the Coast Guard and agency partners, and potentially putting emergency responders at unnecessary risk.”
Kuperman said false reports reduce readiness for actual emergencies, which can be “especially detrimental during the summer months, when resources are in constant demand.”
What are the penalties for a Coast Guard hoax call?
Knowingly making a false distress call or causing the Coast Guard to launch a rescue response when no help is needed is a federal felony, according to the Coast Guard.
The offense is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a monetary fine.
The law also allows a civil penalty of up to $13,295 and holds the person responsible for all costs the Coast Guard incurs because of the false report.
Coast Guard warns against misleading emergency posts on social media
The Coast Guard also urged people not to post or share social media content that falsely portrays an emergency.
“The growing influence of social media has added further challenges to search-and-rescue operations,” said Roger Rice, search-and-rescue program manager for the Great Lakes District. “Social media content suggesting distress may not include critical details, such as an accurate location, the number of people involved or immediate hazards.”
Rice said misleading photos or videos can unnecessarily trigger emergency responses and divert critical resources.
How Great Lakes boaters should call for help
Boaters in distress should use VHF-FM channel 16 or call 911 during a real emergency, the Coast Guard said.
The Great Lakes District covers a 1,500-mile international border across eight states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. More than 6,000 active-duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary Coast Guard personnel serve in the district.
Contact Brandon Reid at breid@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Great Lakes boaters warned after 187 false distress calls
Reporting by Brandon Reid, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brandon Reid, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter | USA TODAY Network
