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Florida deputies chase down runaway boat off popular beach

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Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Sheriff's deputies in Florida said it took some "teamwork by land, air and sea" to stop a runaway boat off the coast of a popular beach.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post that deputies responded to calls about a "subject in the water" off Pass A Grill Beach and they arrived to find a man had been thrown from his boat about a half mile from shore, and the vehicle was now speeding through the water without any occupants.

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Deputies were able to safely bring the man back to shore, and set about using "teamwork by land, air and sea" to secure the boat.

"Utilizing their training, marine deputies were able to match the speed of the runaway vessel, board it and regain control," the post said.

The sheriff's office said the incident should serve as a reminder to wear a flotation device while boating and utilize a cut-off switch, or "kill cord," to ensure the boat's engine stops when the driver is thrown overboard.

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