A SERIAL hoaxer with a fascination for the coastguard helicopter is putting lives at risk.

Coastguards believe that someone who just wants to see the rescue chopper flying has been responsible for numerous unnecessary callouts.

And they are warning that someone could be killed if the hoaxes continue and divert the chopper from a real emergency.

The malicious calls began about two weeks ago and there have been two or three every day over the past week.

The hoax calls are believed to have cost thousands of pounds – the helicopter costs around £3,000 for every hour it is in the air – although the chopper has not responded to every hoax.

The calls, made on VHF radio channel 16, are now being investigated by Dorset Police.

Mike Branagan, of Portland Coastguard, said: “Hoax calls are something that do happen from time to time but not usually this volume of calls.

“This spate has been going on now for two or three weeks.

“Perhaps it’s a holidaymaker or someone local who likes seeing the helicopter go out, but it is diverting resources from a possible genuine emergency.”

He added: “If we put the helicopter out for what is potentially a hoax caller then it is not available for other jobs.

“It is dangerous and puts lives at risk, not to mention being a waste of time, fuel and resources.

“But clearly whoever it is that is making these hoax calls does not care about that.”

One of the calls was received on Saturday at around 10am.

Coastguards responded and made a request for more information, but nothing further was heard.

On Sunday, a man claimed to be in difficulties in a rowing boat in Portland Harbour. Coastguards investigated but nothing was found.

Littlemoor resident Gary Jones saw the coastguards in action at Bowleaze Cove last month, and called for strong penalties including fines to deter hoax callers.

He said: “I was on the beach when a man suffered a heart attack while swimming. In that case, sadly, nothing the emergency services did would have made a difference, but there was such a fast response, which is crucial in these situations.

“I think it’s ridiculous that people make hoax calls. It could mean response times for genuine emergencies take twice as long.”

Mr Jones added: “I was friends with David McFarlane, the skipper of the Purbeck Isle, and I have seen first-hand how important the coastguards are and what a good job they do.”

A spokeswoman for Dorset Police said they are looking into the hoax calls.

She said: “It was reported that the coastguards have received a number of hoax calls over the past several weeks.

“This matter is currently under investigation.”