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Ship happens — but this nimble deputy was ready.

A Florida deputy launched himself onto a runaway boat speeding through Tampa Bay Sunday after its owner toppled into the water, leaving the vessel unmanned.

Wild video shows the moment Deputy Travis Fernandes bravely jumped from the moving Pinellas County sheriff’s vessel onto the deck of the center console boat.

The loose boat’s driver was alone when they fell over the edge with the keys still in the ignition and the gas turned on — allowing it to plow ahead in the open water.

Fernandes’ bodycam footage shows him climbing the police boat’s protective railing as his partner Deputy Jillian Constant — who made headlines last month for rescuing an “exhausted” manatee” by holding its head above water for two hours — inches closer to the speeding and unpredictable vessel.

According to the sheriff’s department, Constant reached a speed of 41 mph on the open sea when Fernandes jumped from their boat.

After skillfully landing on the deck, he quickly gained control of the runaway boat and put an end to its feral run.


  Deputy Travis Fernandes jumped from the department’s boat, which was going 41 mph, onto the unmanned vessel in Tampa Bay. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office/Facebook Deputy Travis Fernandes jumped from the department’s boat, which was going 41 mph, onto the unmanned vessel in Tampa Bay. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office/Facebook

  The loose boat’s driver was alone when they fell over the edge with the keys still in the ignition and the gas turned on. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office/Facebook The loose boat’s driver was alone when they fell over the edge with the keys still in the ignition and the gas turned on. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office/Facebook

  Fernandes landed on the deck of the moving boat and immediately brought it under control. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office/Facebook Fernandes landed on the deck of the moving boat and immediately brought it under control. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office/Facebook

“And yes Deputy Fernandes does his own stunts,” the sheriff’s office quipped in a Facebook post set to Van Halen’s “Jump.” 

It is not clear how long the boat had been on the loose before it was corralled and tethered to the police boat.

Luckily, its owner was rescued by a good Samaritan shortly after going overboard.

The US Coast Guard also tried to stop the speeding boat by throwing devices in its path in an attempt to stop its propeller, but were unsuccessful, Pinellas Sgt. Amanda Sinni said in a statement.


  Deputy Jill Constant reached speeds of 41 mph while pursuing the empty vessel. Jillian Constant/Facebook Deputy Jill Constant reached speeds of 41 mph while pursuing the empty vessel. Jillian Constant/Facebook

The department is warning boaters — especially those setting out alone — to connect their kill switches to lanyards that can stop boats in case of emergency.

The vessel was intercepted approximately two miles east of St. Petersburg.

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