A Florida delegate was filmed making a daring jump to board a runaway speedboat that had traveled about 40 mph after the driver fell off.
The footage captured last Sunday showcases the quick-thinking deputy’s bravery — and ability to channel his inner swashbuckler by both boarding and stopping the wayward ship.
Identified as Deputy Travis Fernandes — an officer in the Marine and Environmental Lands Unit of the Pinellas County Sheriff Office — the man managed to stop the landing after he and a partner responded to a distress call for the west-central coast.
The call came from the US Coast Guard, asking for help from the runaway ship. Officials said the driver, who was not named, was rescued by a bystander, but the Coast Guard was unable to stop the boat.
Video released by the sheriff’s office showed the deputy succeeding where they failed, with his boat racing alongside the empty boat. In the Facebook reel showing Fernandes’ stunt, officers appropriately covered up the 1984 Van Halen song “Jump.”
A Florida delegate was filmed making a daring jump to board a runaway speedboat that had traveled about 40 mph after the driver fell off.
The footage captured last Sunday showcased the quick-thinking deputy’s bravery — and ability to channel his inner swashbuckler
“The Coast Guard tried to use prop birds to stop the ship, but they were unsuccessful,” the sheriff’s office said of the incident.
The office further described how Fernandes’ partner, Deputy Sheriff Constant, intercepted the runaway ship – “by adjusting its speed (approximately 41 mph).”
Deputy Travis Fernandes of the Pinellas County Sheriff Office Marine Unit managed to stop the landing — after he and a partner responded to a Coast Guard distress call for the west-central coast
This maneuver, the department said, “allowed Deputy Fernandes to jump aboard and take control of the ship,” eventually bringing it to a halt.
Referring to the bloodcurdling footage, the sheriff’s office added, “And yes, Deputy Fernandes does his own stunts.”
The office captured the caper thanks to the officer’s bodycam.
Towards the beginning of the clip, the two boats can be seen sailing parallel to each other, with Constant accelerating to keep up.
Eventually, the officers’ boat pulls to within a few feet of the phantom craft, to the point where the two almost touch.
“You got it, I don’t care if you get wet, you got it,” you hear Fernandes say to his partner, looking at the gap between the boats.
Then, seemingly without hesitation, Fernandes jumps and brings the boat to a stop
The deputy and Coast Guard then worked together to untangle a line that had become entangled in the boat’s propeller during the unplanned trip — at which point many marveled at what the deputy had just done.
“Is there something stuck in there?” you hear a member of the Coast Guard ask Fernandes, now aboard the other ship.
The office captured the caper thanks to the officer’s bodycam
Towards the beginning of the clip, the two boats can be seen sailing parallel to each other, with Constant accelerating to keep up.
Eventually, the officers’ boat pulls to within a few feet of the phantom craft, to the point where the two almost touch.
“I think I just did, I didn’t even know there was a line there. Oh yes, I just wrapped them up properly,’ he replies, surprisingly calm considering the stunt he just pulled.
Another Coast Guard member jokes further, “We needed that 45 minutes ago.”
The joke earns laughter from the deputy and the other officers on the scene.
Costant is then heard to greet her partner for his actions – telling him ‘well done’ – although Fernandes, who only joined the force in 2021, seemed to brush off the praise. As a true hero would, he instead compliments his fellow deputy sheriff on her driving.
During the back and forth, we hear a member of the Coast Guard say, “That was quite a**.”
Then, seemingly without hesitation, Fernandes takes the plunge
Once on the boat, Fernandes – who has only been with the police for two years – was able to stop it. The driver was rescued by an unnamed ‘Good Samaritan’
Following the agreement, Fernandes’ partner Deputy Costant is heard saluting her partner for his exploits – telling him “good job” – though Fernandes, who only joined the force in 2021, seemed to brush off the praise. A member of the Coast Guard is then heard to say, “That was pretty bad a**”
As for the fate of the male driver, police said he fell off the boat, but did not specify how.
In a statement, they revealed it was a “Good Samaritan” who rescued him, the sheriff’s office said.
Attempts by the Coast Guard to stop the boat using propeller entanglement devices failed, the sheriff’s office said.
“Always connect your dead man’s cord,” the office wrote alongside the video, referring to another way the boat could have stopped.