If you were getting tired of everyone saying ‘they build ‘ em different in Florida’, you best change the channel.
In another incredibly story coming out of the Sunshine State, a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Deputy made an incredible leap after a twin-engine center console boat was running out of control in Tampa Bay last week.
After the owner of the boat, who was rolling solo, was tossed at an estimated speed of 41 MPH, his boat was left running out of control. Responding to the call, the Sheriff’s Office patrol boat was quick to intercept the boat.
Taking a page out of Mission Impossible fame, Deputy Travis Fernandes waited patiently as the patrol boat was close enough to make contact with the runaway craft. Making a split second decision, he made the leap into the runaway boat and quickly reduced the throttle and got her under control.
The captain was safely retrieved as well.
“The driver had fallen off and was rescued by a Good Samaritan,” the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office explained in their post. “The Coast Guard attempted to deploy prop-fowling devices to stop the vessel, but they were unsuccessful. Deputy Constant intercepted the runaway vessel by matching its speed (about 41 mph), allowing Fernandes to leap aboard and take control of the vessel…And yes Deputy Fernandes does his own stunts.”
