30-04-2025
‘Coastal cowboys.' Cop wrangles runaway boat when driver falls off, FL video shows
When a boater was thrown overboard, his unmanned vessel was left circling off the coast of Florida at nearly 40 mph as authorities struggled to stop it from afar.
That's when a police lieutenant jumped on.
According to the Sarasota Police Department, the operator was on his way back from a boat show April 28 when a larger vessel cut in front of his 26-foot boat, creating a wake that threw him overboard.
He wasn't wearing an engine cut-off switch, so the boat kept going without anyone behind the controls, stuck going in circles at a high speed, police said.
U.S. Coast Guard officials said a Good Samaritan picked up the overthrown boater, who wasn't wearing a life jacket either.
The Coast Guard worked with two police departments, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and SeaTow to control the boat, but their attempts to stall the engine by throwing tow lines didn't stop it.
SeaTow managed to throw a rope that slowed the vessel down enough so police officers could try a more hands-on approach.
Video shared by the Sarasota Police Department shows the agency's marine unit pull up alongside the runaway boat and match the speed as a lieutenant crouched on the edge. When the vessels were lined up just right, he jumped onto the runaway boat, quickly bringing the throttle down.
Footage of the boat wrangling gained traction on social media, with Instagram users likening the officers to 'coastal cowboys' doing 'salt water cowboy stuff.'
'Not gonna lie I know this is super dangerous and an incredible feat the officers pulled off here, but, it looks really fun,' one user commented on a video reposted by the Qualified Captain account.
The police department commended the officers who participated.
'And after it's all said and done, with everyone safe and unharmed, and no damage to any vessel—we can look back and enjoy a little excitement… Mission Impossible style,' the agency said.
Neither of the boats involved sustained any damage during the operation.
Authorities said the incident is a good reminder to wear a life jacket and engine cut-off switch, which boat operators can attach to their clothes to disable the vessel in case they go overboard.
All boat drivers are required to wear an engine cut-off switch while operating a vessel under 26 feet, according to the Coast Guard.
