Hammerhead shark swims next to boat off Anna Maria Island

ANNA MARIA ISLAND (FOX 13) - Boaters got an up-close look at a large hammerhead shark off Florida's Anna Maria Island this week.

Captain Jason Lineberger with Ruthless Charters says the McKeown family took video of the shark, which he estimated to be between 11 and 14 feet long.

In the video, John McKeown -- wearing a shirt and shorts both printed with images of sharks -- is on the side of the boat, with his son, John Christian.

The shark swims right up to the front of the boat as McKeown reaches into the water to possibly touch its fin.

At that moment, the shark reverses course and swims away, but in the clear waters off Florida's west coast, the large sea creature is clearly visible.