Air and water rescue missions were deployed, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited a Lafayette man on Monday for allegedly making false mayday calls from his boat on False River.
According to a press release, Benjamin T. Becnel was cited with criminal mischief in the case.
On Monday afternoon, Aug. 13, agents received a call about a mayday signal in the vicinity of False River, and made contact with the U.S. Coast Guard and told them they could not find anyone in distress, the release states.
Later that same night, another mayday call went out to the Coast Guard from the False River near Oscar. The USCG deployed a search and rescue mission by air, and the LDWF and Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office sent boats to assist in the search.
According to the release, about 10 p.m. agents and deputies made contact with Becnel, who admitted to making the distress calls from his boat by VHF radio.
Criminal mischief brings up to a $500 fine and six months in jail, the release states.
