An eight-year-old boy and his father are facing legal consequences after Sarasota police spotted the child operating a jet ski alone near Lido Key, Florida, on June 14. Body camera footage released by the Sarasota Police Department shows a marine unit officer stopping the boy and asking, “Where’s your parents?” The child pointed toward his father, who admitted he knew his son was not legally allowed to ride alone but called him “very proficient.”
Florida law prohibits under-14 operation of personal watercraft
Florida law makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to knowingly allow anyone under the age of 14 to operate a personal watercraft. Sarasota police emphasized the danger, noting the incident occurred on a busy weekend with rough currents. “Imagine the surprise of the Sarasota Police Marine Patrol Unit when they stopped an eight-year-old boy who was riding a PWC off the coast of Lido Key,” the department wrote in a Facebook post.
Father apologizes but faces court date
In the video, the father apologizes to officers, acknowledging the legal violation. Both the father and son, who were not identified by police, will be required to appear in court. Sarasota police did not specify the exact charges or potential penalties.
“Sarasota has become quite a hot spot for personal watercraft in the area. We’ve had an increased number of crashes and an increased amount of recklessness,” said Sarasota Police marine patrol Officer Ron Dixon.
Safety reminder ahead of Independence Day weekend
Police issued a press release ahead of the Independence Day weekend, reminding boaters and personal watercraft operators to prioritize safety and be courteous to others on the water. The incident underscores the dangers of allowing young children to operate powerful watercraft unsupervised, especially in busy conditions.
