<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 9-5. - Swimming prohibited during dangerous conditions.</div>
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            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
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            <p class="content1">
               It is recognized that during certain periods of time, as a result of a combination
               of environmental conditions, dangerous riptides and undercurrents occur in the ocean
               surf making ocean conditions unsafe for swimmers. The county's ocean rescue contractor
               is authorized, when it shall make a determination that conditions are unsafe for swimmers
               in the Atlantic Ocean, to prohibit all swimming in the Atlantic Ocean until such time
               as it shall determine that the unsafe conditions have abated. During such periods
               in which swimming is prohibited and after notice is given to the public by announcement
               on a local radio station and by the posting of red flags on the public accesses to
               the Atlantic Ocean, swimming in the Atlantic Ocean shall be unlawful. The county's
               ocean rescue contractor shall make the determination of whether or not ocean conditions
               are safe based upon his its observation of the effects of winds, tides, storm conditions
               and other environmental conditions affecting the surf in the Atlantic Ocean. It shall
               also take into consideration weather reports of existing reports in the Atlantic Ocean
               and the proximity of those storms to the beaches of the county and the effect thereof.
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               (b)
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            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Swimming,</span> as used in this section, is defined to mean and include any entry into the water
               of the Atlantic Ocean whether assisted by a raft, float, or other aid or device commonly
               used, but shall not include any entry assisted by a "surfboard," as defined in this
               section. <span class="ital">Surfboard,</span> as used in this section, shall be defined as a fiberglass and foam combination at
               least five feet in length, having a minimum of one fin and used in conjunction with
               a leash.
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            <p class="incr0">
               (c)
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            <p class="content1">
               No person shall use or operate a surfboard within the waters of the Atlantic Ocean
               unless a leash is physically attached to the surface of the surfboard and the opposite
               end of the leash is looped so that the leash shall be placed around the person's ankle
               or wrist for control of the surfboard in order to avoid injury to bathers. A surfing
               leash is defined as a line capable of being attached to a board used for surfing and
               to the surfer, which is of sufficient diameter and strength to restrain the board
               at a distance from the surfer no greater than the length of the line.
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            <p class="incr0">
               (d)
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            <p class="content1">
               This section shall govern those beaches on the Currituck County Outer Banks which
               are in Poplar Branch and Fruitville Township.
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               (e)
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            <p class="content1">
               The violation of this article shall be a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be
               punishable by fine not more than $500.00 or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. of 11-6-95; Ord. of 2-19-96; Ord. of 8-17-98; Ord. of 1-20-15, pt. I)
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