This is the dramatic moment a brave officer leaps Hollywood-style onto a 'ghost speedboat' in Florida to bring it to a stop.

The Sarasota Police Department's Marine Unit took control of the speeding unmanned 26ft boat on Monday, April 28, after its operator was thrown into the water.

The team responded to a report of a boater in distress north of the Ringling Museum. They discovered the vessel circling at about 40 mph with no one aboard.

Officers attempted to stop the watercraft using tow lines, but initial efforts were unsuccessful.

A plasma tow line was later deployed, which reduced the vessel's speed slightly. This allowed officers to manoeuvre alongside the moving vessel.

One officer then boarded the boat and brought it to a stop.

The boat operator told officers he was returning from the weekend Boat Show at Marina Jack when a larger vessel crossed his path. As he tried to manage the wake, he was thrown overboard. He sustained minor injuries.

Authorities said the man was not wearing a lifejacket and had not used the boat's emergency engine cut-off switch.

No damage was reported to any law enforcement boats or the Everglades vessel.