A huge air, sea and land search was sparked on Friday evening after a 'mayday' call. The alarm was raised at approximately 6.30 pm when a very quiet, but clear voice was heard calling 'mayday' on the VHF channel 16 radio (the distress, urgency and safety calling channel) at Milford Haven Coastguard Operations Room. There was no other conversation. Immediately action was taken, and through inquiries, it was established that the 'mayday' was heard, via the radio, by a crew member in Tenby RNLI lifeboat station. The footprint area to search was massive. Therefore, both the Milford Haven and Swansea coastguard rescue teams and lifeboats were called. Tenby, Llansteffan and Laugharne coastguard rescue teams searched the coastal area of Carmarthen Bay from Tenby into the estuary of the Rivers Taf and Towy, while the coastguard rescue teams from Burry Port and Rhosilli searched the coastal area of the River Gwendreath and the western end of the Gower Peninsular. The sea area was searched by Tenby RNLI all- weather lifeboat, Burry Port RNLI inshore lifeboat, Ferryside inshore rescue boat and the rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor. The search was concluded as night fell at approximately 10.50 pm when nothing was found, all enquiries had been exhausted and no more had been heard on the distress channel. Enquiries have continued and nothing more has been gleaned to establish the authenticity of the original call. "Several incidents with the spoken word 'mayday' have occurred, with the word being heard via aerials sited in the south of our area," said a spokeswoman for HM Coastguard. "All have been hoaxes. Not only is this extremely irresponsible by the persons making these false calls, it is highly dangerous for those in genuine trouble, as lifesaving resources could be deployed on a false alarm and in a different area. "For the person playing this sick game - beware. Making a hoax call is a criminal offence and if you are found, you may be prosecuted."
