An eight‑year‑old boy was stopped by Sarasota police after being observed operating a jet ski alone near Lido Key on June 14.
Body‑camera footage captured a marine patrol officer confronting the child and asking for his parents. The boy pointed toward his father, and the officer followed his direction, expressing surprise at the situation.
When officers approached the adult, he apologized and admitted he knew his son was not legally permitted to ride the jet ski unaccompanied, though he described the child as “very proficient.”
Florida law bars anyone under 14 from operating a personal watercraft, and it is a second‑degree misdemeanor to knowingly allow a minor to do so.
Both the father and son are scheduled to appear in court on the matter.
In anticipation of the upcoming holiday weekend, police issued a reminder urging all boaters and watercraft operators to prioritize safety and respect fellow water users.
Officials noted a recent rise in personal watercraft activity in the area, accompanied by an increase in collisions and reckless behavior.
