Boater in West Palm Beach faces charges after making false distress call

A boater in West Palm Beach is facing charges after leadership declared he called under false circumstances Police disclosed the boater who was identified as Derek Howard called needing help after a wreck on the water what is the address of your exigency revealed a dispatcher I don t know man I m out here in an airboat I think I wrecked I don t remember nothing noted Howard Body camera footage from Indian River County Sheriff s deputies indicated first responders searching for Howard Crews from fire rescue the marine unit and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission all made attempts to reach him various even getting stuck and having to dig through the marsh along the way Howard reportedly reported bureaucrats that he had flipped his vessel and that him and another client were injured as well However once representatives located him at the scene they determined that there was no crash no missing tourist and no injuries The scrutiny later revealed that Howard had just run out of gas and reportedly made up the story to get help hastily Our deputies made contact with your friends They stated us that you ran out gas Did you wreck your boat or did you run out of gas solicited the dispatcher I m not sure i think both revealed Howard Howard now faces charges for misuse of emergency services and filing a false review to law enforcement