On Monday April 28, 2025, members of the Sarasota Police Department Marine Unit used their vessel to pursue an unpiloted boat running approximately 40 mph. An officer transferred over to the runaway boat and brought it under control.
Florida Officers Chase Down Unmanned Boat, Board, and Stop It
Police say the boat’s operator told him that a larger vessel cut in front of him and caused a wake that threw him out of the his boat. He was not using his boat’s emergency engine cut-off switch.
by Staff
April 30, 2025
Credit:
Screen Shot from Sarasota PD Video
“The Sarasota Police Marine Unit, with assistance from the United States Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Venice Police Department, and SeaTow, worked together to safely bring the situation under control. After several attempts to foul the vessel’s motor with tow lines were unsuccessful, SeaTow was able to deploy a plasma tow line, slightly slowing the vessel,” the Sarasota Police reported on Facebook .
The reduction of speed allowed Officer Dixon to safely maneuver alongside the vessel, providing Lieutenant King the opportunity to board and bring the boat to a stop, police say.
Police say the boat’s operator told him that a larger vessel cut in front of him and caused a wake that threw him out of the his boat. He was not using his boat’s emergency engine cut-off switch at the time of the incident, so the boat kept going. He suffered minor injuries.
None of the boats involved in the incident were damaged.
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