A young boy jumped off his disabled personal watercraft into the Hudson River.

On Friday around 11:40 a.m., the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol responded for a distress call on the Hudson River off the City of Poughkeepsie shoreline.

Responding police officers determined that a 43-year-old man was backing his trailer onto the Waryas Park boat ramp while his 14-year-old son was operating their personal watercraft. The watercraft experienced mechanical issues and became disabled on the river, police say.

The 14-year-old son began yelling for help and eventually jumped off the watercraft and swam to shore. The youth was wearing a personal flotation device and was uninjured, police say.

A responding patrol boat found the watercraft near the Walkway Over the Hudson Bridge and towed it back to the Waryas Park boat ramp.

Officials remind everyone that boaters are encouraged to stay with their boat or watercraft if they become disabled. Attempting to swim to shore is strongly discouraged due to the currents in the Hudson River. In addition, it is much easier for first responders to locate a vessel as compared to a person in the water. All operators and passengers on PWC’s are required by law to wear a personal flotation device. Boaters are encouraged to always wear a personal flotation device.

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