Auckland Coastguard officials have issued an urgent plea for parents to stop their children sending false distress signals on marine radio channels.
The Coastguard said the start of school holidays this week had brought a rash of hoax Mayday calls on the very high frequency (VHF) network.
"Apart from potentially blocking a
real call for help, it could prove very costly for the Coastguard if a hoax call was to spark an unnecessary search," said Duty Officer Dean Lawrence.
He said the nuisance was a disappointment, as record numbers of boaties had graduated from the Coastguard's school with marine radio qualifications.
The level of hoax calls was as high as when huge numbers of spectators took to the water during the America's Cup regatta two years ago.
