Nuts

I recently blogged about a Hoax call to the Coast Guard here in Florida. A man was saying his boat was sinking and nine people had to go into the water. Despite an extensive search, no trace of these people were ever found.

Yesterday an arrest was made.

BOYNTON BEACH — Federal authorities on Tuesday charged a 45-year-old felon with making a hoax call that launched a 23-hour, $350,000 air and sea search for nine people bobbing in the stormy Atlantic.

Robert J. Moran was arrested shortly after 4 p.m. at the home he shares with his wife and mother on Northeast 20th Avenue.

Authorities said Moran made the 63-minute fake distress call with a hand-held radio at 10:49 p.m. on June 11, claiming that his 33-foot boat Blue Sheep was taking on water 3 miles north of the Boynton Beach Inlet, and that his wife had fractured her leg and was bleeding profusely.

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A false emergency report to the Coast Guard is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison, more than $250,000 in fines and the cost of the search.

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Moran was expected to be booked into the Palm Beach County Jail.

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It wasn't long before a tipster who recognized the caller's voice in a TV news account notified officials about Moran. Authorities said they did not know why Moran made the allegedly false distress call, nor could they pinpoint the exact location of it.

The unnecessary rescue effort cost $347,014.92, based on the hourly rate of two Coast Guard planes, two jets, two helicopters and two vessels, as well as wildlife commission and sheriff's office boats, said Lt. Cmdr. Chris O'Neil, Coast Guard spokesman.

Florida is certainly full of nuts. What would drive a person to do such a prank?

Mr. Moran if found guilty is going to regret making that phone call. I'll withhold a Knucklehead award till a verdict comes through or a plea deal is done.

Open Post- Bright & Early, Blue Star,