Members of the U.S. Coast Guard executed a bold, high-risk boarding to stop a speeding unmanned vessel on the Severn River near Annapolis, Maryland, earlier this week after its operator was thrown overboard.

Video of the incident shows a Coast Guard crew intercepting the runaway vessel before one Coast Guardsman made a daring jump onto the moving boat and safely brought it to a stop.

The quick-thinking response likely prevented a far more serious tragedy as the unmanned boat continued racing through the water. Reports and social media footage from the Annapolis area indicate the operator was ejected from the vessel.

According to Anne Arundel First Alert:

Anne Arundel First Alert initially reported emergency crews were responding around 9:15 a.m. to reports of people in the water in the Severn River.

The wife of the man thrown overboard contacted Anne Arundel First Alert saying he was assisting with docking operations of a jet ski when a large wave struck the vessel, knocking him overboard.

According to witnesses, the boat’s engine remained engaged and the vessel accelerated away without anyone at the controls.

Video from the scene shows the boat speeding and circling through the water as police boats and nearby boaters watched from a distance, unable to immediately stop it.

The man’s son used a nearby WaveRunner to reach his father in the water and help bring him safely back to shore.

Coast Guard personnel on a patrol boat skillfully pinned the runaway vessel during a turn. One brave officer then jumped from the Coast Guard boat onto the speeding runaway, shut down the engines, and ended the threat.

Video by Sam Thomas:

ALERT: US Coast Guard jumps onto a runaway boat and safely stops it in Maryland.

Authorities say the man operating the vessel suddenly fell overboard, and the Coast Guard had to intercept and stop the boat.

The incident has raised awareness among boat operators to wear their… pic.twitter.com/FbuZC1WZoU

— E X X ➠A L E R T S (@ExxAlerts) June 15, 2026

Jim Hᴏft Jim Hᴏft is the founder and editor of The Gateway Pundit, one of the top conservative news outlets in America. Jim was awarded the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award in 2013 and is the proud recipient of the Breitbart Award for Excellence in Online Journalism from the Americans for Prosperity Foundation in May 2016.

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