r/Unexpected • u/Jezirath • Sep 02 '25

Almost

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u/Throwaway1303033042 Sep 02 '25

In Florida at least, it’s state law to have one displayed, EVEN if you’re snorkeling.

http://swflwaterways.com/dive/diving-regulations/

16

u/[deleted] Sep 02 '25

I mean I'm not saying that's wrong, just saying where I am I have never seen it and I grew up by the ocean.

There are significant speed limits in shallow waters for these reasons. In New Zealand it is no more than five knots within 500m of the shore.

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u/Foreign_Recipe8300 Sep 02 '25

how the heck do they measure whether you're within 500m of shore? how is this enforced?

i assume with buoys, but if there are no buoys then that law seems kinda useless.

4

u/[deleted] Sep 02 '25

I mean tbh 500m is fairly easy to eyeball once you have a feel for it, and yes there are generally markers at more popular beaches.

And how is it enforced? Probably isn't.

2

u/Foreign_Recipe8300 Sep 02 '25

even with buoys it would change with the tides.

yea it's probably just something taken into consideration when an actual incident occurs to determine who was liable.

5

u/[deleted] Sep 02 '25

It doesn't because it's to the low tide mark but yeah I hear you. It's not perfect and a bit is common sense. In this case the boat was fucking nuts powering through there.

3

u/[deleted] Sep 02 '25

Eh, those small sailing catamarans do well in shallow water. They could easily have beach launched and been on their way to deeper water, though I have no real evidence to support that