Quote:
Originally Posted by DZ
Jake,
They fined the guy a $100. Not sure if they actually "arrested" him. The scuba diver exemption was mentioned in the article.
As far as the "Keep off the rocks" signs. You have to know the local history - a few years back a grade school trip to Newport during vacation week in February turned to tragedy. A few kids went out too far onto the rocks in conditions similar to yesterday and were swept off and drowned. The signs were then put up by local authorities - they are not intended to keep local fishermen off - just a caution to unexpecting/uneducated public that are not familiar with what the ocean waves can do. They protect the wary - but not those without any common sense. The guy in this story may have been confident in his abilities but most people with common sense would agree his actions were wacko considering the conditions.
DZ
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I can understand warning the uneducated public or just the general public as I am sure many people do not know the RI regs on swimming. But I do have to wonder why in the world would a grade school be taking a trip out on the rocks there in February? That makes no sense. And doing it during the vacation week makes no sense either. Regardless of that any one can be swept off the rocks anywhere if they are unknowing and/or uncareful. I remember a cop once telling me that ignorance of the law is no excuse. So if that swimmer did not know it was illegal he will have to pay a price. But to encourage that someone should beat the crap out of him??? Come on...
Thank god all of us didn't get the crap kicked out of us every time we did something that someone else didn't approve of
Another thought. If you were swept off the rocks there, in which direction would you swim? For the shore or further out into the ocean?