Many Islanders will have already have heard about the mayday call received by Solent Coastguard on Wednesday this week which resulted in a five hour search.
The caller reported that he had been separated from his canoe and that he was in the water off St Catherine’s point.
The result was an operation involving the Coastguard rescue helicopter Rescue, as well as Bembridge and Needles Coastguard rescue teams.
Also responding to the mayday relay broadcast were Hampshire Police Launch Geoffery Rackham, Ministry of Defence Police Launch Loyalty, Brittany ferry Ponte de Aven and a Lynx helicopter from HMS Ark Royal which was on sea trials at the time.
After the extensive search of over five hours, the search was called off and the call suspected to be a hoax.
The Coastguard have released the recording of the call in the hope that someone may recognise the caller.
Please listen to the short snippet below and get in touch by email if you have any information or call Solent Coastguard on 02392 552100. [audio:http://otw-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/canoe-may-day-call.mp3]
Image: ADL999 under CC BY-SA 2.0
