The search for a vessel reported to be in trouble off the coast of Bruny Island was called off yesterday evening, with police determining the call to have been a hoax.

Tasmania Police has today released additional audio recordings of the original ‘mayday’ call heard by Coast Radio around 9:04am, hoping a member of the public might recognise the voice.

Police have also released the recordings from a subsequent series of calls made to Coast Radio around 1:30pm by a man claiming to be on board a fictitious vessel called the MOHENI.  In these transmissions the man claims to have come across an 'upturned tinny' near 'Seal Island' off Adventure Bay.

It is clearly apparent that the two calls were made from the same person.  This is particularly evident where the man is heard to repeat the phrase 'I don't know the area that well, but I'm south of Adventure Bay' in both transmissions.

Inspector Doug Rossiter, officer in charge of the police operation, was confident someone would be able to identify the voice, advising that police had already received calls from members of the public wishing to provide information. 

Inspector Rossiter said he was optimistic the person would be identified, saying that based on the evidence at hand he believed the man was of mature age, had access to a VHF radio and probably lived somewhere south of Kingston.

"If you think you know who this person is or have any information whatsoever, please let us know,” Inspector Rossiter said.  “This person wasted police and emergency resources and potentially placed other lives at risk.”

Anyone with information is asked to call their local police on 131 444, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Tasmania Police Media
(03) 6230 2867