NJ Yacht Explosion Likely a Sham

The U.S. Coast Guard says a reported explosion on a motor yacht off central New Jersey likely was a hoax costing hundreds of thousands of dollars

Associated Press reports that the multi-agency mission was launched after authorities received an emergency radio transmission around 4:20 p.m. Monday from a boat identifying itself as the Blind Date. The caller reported the boat was 17 nautical miles east of Sandy Hook and had 21 people aboard and several people were injured.

The Coast Guard has begun an investigation to determine who was responsible for what it considers a hoax, as no wreckage or survivors where seen despite extensive searches.