Police have released the recording of a hoax call which sparked a major search operation in the North Sea.
It’s hoped that a member of the public can help them identify the male voice shouting “mayday” three times, then stating “abandon ship” during the call.
Coastguards received the radio message at 6pm on June 18 which reported three people abandoning their vessel in the Moray Firth.
But there were no signs of anyone in distress during a five hour search involving Buckie, Fraserburgh and Macduff lifeboat crews, an Inverness helicopter and local fishing boats.
The 11 second clip of the distress call, which was believed to have been made from someone in the Banff and Macduff area, has been shared across social media as part of the police investigation.
Inspector Megan Heathershaw said: “Any distress call made to the emergency services will be taken seriously and these calls have led to the intensive use of time and resources by the coastguard and other emergency services.
“We have taken the relatively unusual step of releasing a copy of this call to the public and appeal for help in identifying the person responsible.
“I would ask for anyone who recognises the voice on the transmission to please contact us as soon as possible.
“Likewise I would also appeal to this person directly to get in touch with us.”
It’s the third incident of its kind in recent years in the area and comes at a cost for the local RNLI charity which receives no government funding.
Inquiries are also continuing into the previous hoax calls made in April and last November.
In 2015, a 55-year-old man was jailed for four months after putting lives at risk after lying about a yacht being lost in the Highlands.
Alasdair Munro called the coastguard several times on October 30, 2013 claiming the boat was lost in remote Loch Hourn.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Star of the hit BBC Trawlermen series and chairman of the Scottish Seafood Association, Jimmy Buchan, said: “It’s reckless of these people that waste the resources and time of the rescue services.
“What might seem a simple prank for fun can put others who might need these services at risk.
“Penalties for such behaviour should be much greater aside campaigns across society about the problems this causes.
“I have the highest of regard for people who would volunteer to assist me if the need arose and it disappoints me that people make hoax calls.”
