safety
‘Where’s your parents?’: Florida police spot 8-year-old boy riding Jet Ski alone
By Thaddeus Randazzo, Emily Van de Riet at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 2, 2026
· 1 min read
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB/Gray News) — Police in Florida are reminding residents and visitors about water safety after officers spotted an 8-year-old boy riding a personal watercraft alone.Sarasota police posted body camera video of an officer with the Marine Patrol Unit stopping the boy in the water ...
Key takeaway (WWSB/Gray News) — Police in Florida are reminding residents and visitors about water safety after officers spotted an 8-year-old boy riding a personal watercraft alone.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The incident in Sarasota, Florida, raises concerns about water safety that are also relevant to Atlanta 's own waterways. While the story took place in Florida, Georgia has its own set of boating regulations, including age restrictions for operating personal watercraft. In Georgia, children under 12 years old are not allowed to operate a personal watercraft, and those between 12 and 17 years old must complete a boating education course to operate one without adult supervision. The fact that an 8-year-old boy was allowed to ride a Jet Ski alone in Florida highlights the need for parents and guardians in Atlanta to be aware of and follow Georgia's boating laws to prevent similar incidents on Lake Lanier, the Chattahoochee River, or other local waterways. Atlanta residents who enjoy water sports should take note of these regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB/Gray News) — Police in Florida are reminding residents and visitors about water safety after officers spotted an 8-year-old boy riding a personal watercraft alone.Sarasota police posted body camera video of an officer with the Marine Patrol Unit stopping the boy in the water ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Thaddeus Randazzo, Emily Van de Riet at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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