The astonishing footage shows a deputy in the USA jumping onto an unattended runaway boat travelling at a speed of more than 40 mph.

The officer – identified only as Deputy Fernandes – along with his colleague Deputy Constant with the Marine and Environmental Lands Unit raced to locate the runaway vessel after a call from the U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday, 30th July.

Coast Guard officials reportedly told the deputies that while the driver fell off the boat and was helped by a good Samaritan, the boat continued travelling at about 41 mph (66 kph), despite their efforts to halt it with propeller fouling devices.

A bodycam video shared by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office shows the deputies pulling up next to the boat and matching speed, after which Deputy Fernandes jumps on top of it and takes control.

In the footage, the two boats can be seen nearly touching each other as the deputy makes the leap.

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “Deputy Constant intercepted the runaway vessel by matching its speed (about 41 mph) inside the curve allowing Deputy Fernandes to leap abroad and take control of the vessel.”

They then joked: “And yes, Deputy Fernandes does his own stunts.”

The video – posted on the sheriff’s office’s social media sites on Monday, 31st July, left netizens in awe after they saw the stunt skills of the depute.

Facebook user Rescue Garage said: “Holy crap! Deputy Fernandes is amazing! Thank goodness he’s safe! I’m super impressed! Need the don’t try this at home caution sticker.

“Also he now probably has 1376 date requests.”

Another user named Dawn Amy said: “This guy enjoyed every second. Nice!”

And commenting on the sheriff’s office’s stunt joke, Carol Gorbett added: “‘Deputy Fernandes does his own stunts.’ That cracked me up.”

To that Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office replied: “No stunt doubles here!”