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A Coast Guard crew was able to board this unmanned boat and stop it, but a properly-worn kill switch lanyard could have avoided the danger. Image: Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Dept.

VIDEO: Coast Guardsman Recounts How He Stopped Unmanned Boat at Mouth of the Magothy

It was a potentially deadly situation that happened in a single moment: a boater trying to avoid crab pots swerved and was thrown from his powerboat. Circling at high speed, the boat should’ve been stopped by a properly-worn kill switch lanyard. But the captain’s lanyard slipped right off.

Cheryl Costello talked to the Coast Guard crew that responded to this dangerous situation about how we can keep it from happening to us. Watch below: