Boat hoax man admits fake distress call

A 25-year-old former sea rescue volunteer has admitted making a hoax distress call that sparked an extensive 19-hour sea and air search at a cost of almost $50,000 last month.

Scott Bradley Pike, of Clarkson, today pleaded guilty in the Joondalup Magistrate's Court to a charge of creating a false belief which was laid after he made a false mayday call.

Police had alleged that during the hoax call Pike reported his vessel "Sea Dolphin 2" was taking water about 40 nautical miles north of Rottnest and he was preparing to abandon the vessel.

The search included eight boats, a helicopter and a plane.

The court was told during an earlier appearance over the charge that Pike had pleaded guilty to a similar offence in 2004 when he made hoax radio transmissions to pilots and air traffic control at Perth Airport.

Pike had his bail renewed and is due to be sentenced in January.