"Richard J Kinch" wrote in message
. ..
Wayne.B writes:

That area is a heavily used public beach as you probably know.

Not really public. The area I am talking about is from Atlantic Blvd in
Pompano Beach, south to Commercial Blvd in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. This is
not "public" beach in that it is all private buildings on the waterfront,
from hi-rise condominiums to small old cottages. It is definitely not a
public park like the Ft Lauderdale beach.

Florida seems to have case law about the "wet sand" being public, though.
"Wet sand" being the high-tide wash and below. This is apparently what
lets you walk up and down the beach frontage that is all private. The
"dry
sand" above the high-water mark is privately owned (in this area).

Boating laws being a mishmash of admiralty/federal/state/local
jurisdictions, I'm having a lot of trouble sorting things out.

I have also gotten a written warning about not having flares on board when
I was pulled over for speed in a marina basin. Later I read the USCG
regulations that boats under 16' in the daytime don't (legally) require
flares (although of course it is a good idea to have em).

I got pulled over last summer, and got the flare lecture. My boat's 14', and
the regs *seem* to say flares are required. Maybe. I ended up getting them
because if nothing else, they'll eliminate some hassles next time my son's
girlfriend with the short skirt is on board, and we're pulled over by four
23 yr old Coast Guard guys who are obsessed with my safety. snicker