(A) The operation of any vessel is prohibited within 300 yards of the low water mark along the entire beach abutting the Atlantic Ocean in the city.
(1) The operation in a reckless and dangerous manner of any vessel, or any other type of water apparatus including but not limited to surfboards, is prohibited within 100 yards of any bather in the Atlantic Ocean in the city.
(2) It shall be unlawful to launch from the beach or bring onto the surf any boat, vessel or any apparatus capable of endangering any person or persons along the entire beach abutting the Atlantic Ocean in the city that is patrolled by lifeguards and designated a bathing area, except in areas so designated by the City Commission.
(3) Surfboarding and boating of any type are prohibited within any area abutting the beach patrolled by lifeguards in the city except where an area is designated for this purpose and posted for this activity by the City Commission. This area will be restricted for the express use of its designation and will be unlawful for any other use.
(4) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, hotels located adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean with 150 or more rooms shall be entitled to launch and land wind-driven watercraft only on the beach area abutting their property, providing the same imposes no substantial threat of harm to the health, safety and welfare to the general public. Application for permission to launch wind-driven watercraft shall be heard by the City Commission; and the Commission shall prescribe such conditions and safeguards as the public safety shall require, including requiring the applicant to submit a written agreement containing such conditions and safeguards. Once launched, wind-driven watercraft shall be operated 300 yards from shore. Boats or vessels in distress, emergency and patrol craft are exempt from the provisions of this section.
('72 Code, § 9-16)
(B) Any person who engages in skin diving, scuba diving, or who performs or attempts to perform any form of underwater diving activities within 300 yards of the city beach and more than 100 feet from the shore at low water or within the Intracoastal Waterway, C-10 canal, North Lake or South Lake areas within the city limits shall be equipped with a float and a diving flag, painted red with a white diagonal stripe from the upper left corner to the lower right corner. The flag shall be a minimum of 12 inches by 12 inches and visible for 300 yards.
('72 Code, § 9-17)
(Ord. 65-15, passed - - ; Am. Ord. O-71-19, passed 2-3-71; Am. Ord. O-81-82, passed 11-18-81; Am. Ord. O-84-53, passed 10-3-84; Am. Ord. O-95-76, passed 12-20-95) Penalty, see § 98.999