Coast Guard suspends search in Buzzards Bay after mayday call

WOODS HOLE, Mass. — The United States Coast Guard spent hours searching the waters off Cape Cod after it received a series of mysterious mayday calls Wednesday night.

Coast Guard officials said a mumbled male voice made the mayday call at 8:31 p.m.

Watchstanders responded to the call, but were unable to establish communications with the unknown man.

The mayday call was repeated again at 8:33 p.m. and 8:53 p.m., with the same results.

As a result of the calls for help, Coast Guard Cutter Hammerhead and a 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Station Menemsha began searching Buzzards Bay.

The Coast Guard said it tried to use a helicopter to search Wednesday night, but because of the weather, visibility was poor.

"The conditions last night were challenging, they were not ideal search conditions," Lt. Commander Stephen Hart, of the U.S. Coast Guard, said. "We had winds in excess of 30 kts, cold temperatures, visibility was 1 to 2 nautical miles based on the rain."

On Thursday morning, Coast Guard officials told Boston 25 News that an additional cutter and a fixed wing aircraft joined in with the search.

"It's a popular area for boating traffic, even for this time of year," Hart said. "It's challenging. There's a lot of current in the area, which it can make it challenging to search."

The exact location, nature of distress, description of the vessel and number of people possibly aboard are all unknown.

Thursday afternoon, the Coast Guard suspended its search. It will not resume the search unless it receives information indicating a resumption is warranted.

The Coast Guard has asked anyone with information to contact them at 508-457-3211.

Cox Media Group