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The initial report came in around 4 p.m. on Monday. An explosion on a yacht named Blind Date sent 21 passengers adrift off the coast of New Jersey, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Brandon Brewer, a Chief Warrant Officer for the Coast Guard, told Reuters and The Wall Street Journal that rescue boats and helicopters were searching for survivors 17 miles offshore, near Long Beach, where the yacht reportedly sank. Nine people were reported to be injured, according to a spokesman for the National Parks Service.
But hours into their search rescuers (including six helicopters, three life boats, and two good Samaritan boats) had found no evidence evidence of a sunken yacht, or a fire, or any stranded passengers, according to The Star-Ledger. By 8 p.m. EST, The Wall Street Journal had reported that "owners of multiple charter companies that own vessels under the name Blind Date said their boats were not involved in an explosion," and the Coast Guard told the Associated Press that the explosion was likely a hoax.
Klinker says it's 'highly unusual' for the Coast Guard to get this kind of position and get there quickly but not locate anything or see any sign of distress. He says it's unclear if a yacht called the Blind Date exists.
Which begs the question: who is lame, inconsiderate and bored enough to prank call the U.S. Coast Guard?
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Hannah Miet
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