(CNN) The Coast Guard responded to a report of a yacht explosion in the Atlantic Ocean about 17 and a half miles east of Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
The distress call came in on Monday, saying 21 people had safely abandoned ship, and nine were injured with serious burns.
However, neither a flotilla of rescue boats nor a flight of helicopters could find any evidence of the vesse called “Blind Date” or wreckage from an explosion.
Nor were any victims found as yet.
The Coast Guard remained on the scene and was still searching for a boat or any potential victims.
The Associated Press and several networks report that the Coast Guard says the call, which came in at 4:20 p.m., might be a hoax.
