SFR FL deputy jumps onto driverless boat at 40mph

[Josh]

Here's kind of a crazy story. Driver fell off of a nice dual outboard small salt fishing boat in FL (a Grady White Fisherman 216 or similar maybe?). He was rescued, but wasn't wearing a kill switch cord apparently. So the boat was just cruising along at 40mph. Deputies matched speed with their boat and one of them hopped across to take control of the driverless vessel. The guy doing the hopping was brave, no doubt. But the sheriffs' boat capt might have been the real hero here for a steady hand and well matched speed making the jump as easy (and short) as possible.

 

[dirty dog]

So does the deputy get to keep the boat.
Finders, keepers

 

[PhilR]

So does the deputy get to keep the boat.
Finders, keepers

My first thought as well

 

[Josh]

So does the deputy get to keep the boat.
Finders, keepers

It's a pretty darn nice boat. I don't think I'd like to know the price tag.

 

[MT_Flyfisher]

I also enjoyed watching this video.

When I read that that boat may have been a Grady White, I immediately thought of Grady Judd who’s the Polk County, FL sheriff, which is located in central Florida. He has a great amount of respect from the residents there, as well as across the country (at least by those who respect law and order) and there are many videos online of his past press conferences that you or others might also enjoy watching if you haven’t seen any of them previously.

One of his press conferences from a few years back that I enjoyed watching involved a car chase which ended in a shooting between an illegal alien and the sheriff’s deputies. The illegal shot at the deputies first, and they returned fire. It ended with the illegal being shot and killed. One of the press members asked Sheriff White why his deputies fired so many bullets at the guy (well over 100 rounds as I recall). He replied “Because that’s all the bullets we had.”

 

[Josh]

Because I have boring meetings today, I spent time trying to figure out what boat this was.

I'm 90% sure it's a Scout of some sort:

Scout Boats - Discover More...

At Scout Boats, we design and manufacture world-class luxury models from 17’ to 67’, each packed with timeless innovations, technology, and...

scoutboats.com

I can't figure out which exact model it is, but the similar ones all seem to START at around $100k.

Scout 251 XSS - Hybrid Inshore/Offshore Fishing Boat

Scout's 251 XSS is the first true 25' inshore/offshore fishing boat. This hybrid has a 13" draft for backwater fishing & slices through offshore waves.

scoutboats.com

And then go up quickly...

277 LXF - Scout Boats

(Limited Model Availability, Contact your local dealer for promotional pricing and availability.) The Scout 277 LXF is a performance machine that outpaces the competitive models in its class. It’s loaded with standard features such as a fully walkable transom swim platform with Esthec, a...

scoutboats.com

Regardless, that's a lot of money to have skipping about with nobody driving.

 

[krusty]

My friend in Alaska was absolutely adamant about two things...

1) Anyone going out of the cabin while the big boat is moving, or is anchored in rough seas, must wear a float coat.

2) Anyone operating his skiff must securely attach the kill switch lanyard, and everyone in the skiff must have on a PFD (preferably a well-fitted and zipped float coat).

Seldom saw other watercraft, especially small commercial vessels, with those aboard taking any of those precautions....which is, no doubt a big part of the reason Alaska always leads the nation in boating deaths.

 

[krusty]

Because I have boring meetings today, I spent time trying to figure out what boat this was.

I'm 90% sure it's a Scout of some sort:

Scout Boats - Discover More...

At Scout Boats, we design and manufacture world-class luxury models from 17’ to 67’, each packed with timeless innovations, technology, and...

scoutboats.com

I can't figure out which exact model this one is, but the similar ones all seem to START at around $100k.

Scout 251 XSS - Hybrid Inshore/Offshore Fishing Boat

Scout's 251 XSS is the first true 25' inshore/offshore fishing boat. This hybrid has a 13" draft for backwater fishing & slices through offshore waves.

scoutboats.com

And then go up quickly...

277 LXF - Scout Boats

(Limited Model Availability, Contact your local dealer for promotional pricing and availability.) The Scout 277 LXF is a performance machine that outpaces the competitive models in its class. It’s loaded with standard features such as a fully walkable transom swim platform with Esthec, a...

scoutboats.com

Regardless, that's a lot of money to have skipping about with nobody driving.

A lot of money, but more importantly an unguided missile heading who knows where.

 

[Matt B]

A lot of money, but more importantly an unguided missile heading who knows where.

Good point. Maybe they should’ve had the Coast Guard blast it to smithereens.

 

[krusty]

Good point. Maybe they should’ve had the Coast Guard blast it to smithereens.

Would have more youtube hits that way!

Of course 'unguided missile' could also describe a high proportion of Florida's snowbird retirees driving automibiles. Too much collateral damage to allow the Coast Guard to deal with that danger.