The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search of an area of Penobscot Bay following a mysterious distress call Tuesday afternoon.

Lt. Scott McCann, public affairs officer for the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, said crews searched the area known as Eggemoggin Reach with planes, helicopters and boats from 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, when the call came in, until about 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

“We found no sign of distress,” he said. “Pending further developments, we have no plans to resume a search.”

The distress call featured a male voice appearing to say, “Help Coast Guard, I need some help. I’m going underwater.”

Using positioning software, officials narrowed the area of the call to Eggemoggin Reach in Penobscot Bay.

McCann said Coast Guard officials take all distress calls seriously and have no reason to believe the call was not authentic.


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