Video shows 8-year-old riding jet ski alone off Lido Beach in Sarasota
The Sarasota Police Department released video footage of the Sarasota Police Marine Patrol stopping an eight-year-old boy riding a jet ski by himself in Big Pass near Lido Key.
You must be at least 14 years old to operate a personal watercraft in Florida.
The video posted to social media on June 29 shows the incident captured on an officer's body camera the same day. The caption says that it was "a busy weekend with rough currents."
Officers stopped the boy as he passed the patrol boat, asking where his parents are. The boy then points them in their direction and leads the officers to them upon request.
One Marine Patrol officer can be heard saying, "Oh my god," in disbelief about the situation on the way to the boy's father.
The boy's father apologizes and then tells the officers that he thinks he's not legal to ride a "jet ski" but claims that he's very proficient with the watercraft. The officers question how old the boy is, to which the father replies that he's eight.
The officers then ask if the father thought it was legal for his son to be out there, and the father replies, "Yes." The video ends before the end of the conversation.
Florida laws governing personal watercraft operators
Florida law prohibits anyone under 14 from operating a personal watercraft and makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to knowingly allow someone under 14 to do so.
Florida law defines personal watercraft as a vessel that is "less than 16 feet in length that uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power." They are commonly known by trademarked names like Jet Ski, WaveRunner or Sea-Doo.
"It's illegal to knowingly allow someone younger than 14 to operate a PWC and doing so is a second-degree misdemeanor," the Sarasota Police Department said in a statement issued on June 30. " As a result of this incident, the 8-year-old's father will have to appear in court."
As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, the Sarasota Police Department is reminding those on the water to keep safety a priority, referencing this incident. A press release lists the following as important safety measures:
- Wear a life jacket.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Designate a sober driver.
- Take a boating safety course.
- Check your safety gear.
- File a float plan. Let family and friends know where you're going and when you expect to return.
- Have an engine cut-off switch and watch the weather.
Michaela Galligan is an intern covering a variety of topics for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. She can be reached at MGalligan@usatodayco.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Video shows 8-year-old riding jet ski alone off Lido Beach in Sarasota
Reporting by Michaela Galligan, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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This story was originally published June 30, 2026 at 11:27 AM.