Chapter 14.32
PEOPLE AND OBJECTS IN WATERWAYS

Sections:

14.32.005    Vessels adrift.

14.32.010    Floating objects.

14.32.020    Swimmers.

14.32.030    Skin diving.

14.32.040    Aircraft on the water.

14.32.050    Litter and debris – Nuisances.

14.32.060    Oil.

14.32.005 Vessels adrift.

The following statutes of the State of Washington are adopted by reference:

RCW

79A.60.230    Vessels adrift – Owner to be notified.

79A.60.240    Notice – Contents – Service.

79A.60.250    Posting of notice.

79A.60.260    Compensation – Liability on failure to give notice.

79A.60.270    Disputed claims – Trial – Bond.

79A.60.280    Liability for excessive or negligent use.

79A.60.290    Unclaimed vessel – Procedure.

(Ord. 2457 § 1, 2006).

14.32.010 Floating objects.

All logs, piling, building material, or any other article of value found adrift may be taken in charge by the Police Department and shall be subject to reclamation by the owner thereof, on payment by him to the City of any expenses incurred by the City, and in case of failure to reclaim may be sold or disposed of according to law. (Ord. 2457 § 1, 2006).

14.32.020 Swimmers.

Swimming in the waters of the City shall be confined to:

A. Restricted swimming areas; or

B. Within a distance of 50 feet from the shore, or a pier, unless the swimmer is accompanied by a vessel. (Ord. 2457 § 1, 2006).

14.32.030 Skin diving.

Skin diving shall be prohibited:

A. Within 300 feet of any public boat ramp, patrolled public beaches designated as swimming areas, except pursuant to permit therefore issued by the Chief of Police; or

B. In any other area unless the diver shall be accompanied by a vessel or the area in which he is diving shall be marked by an adequately displayed diver’s flag. (Ord. 2457 § 1, 2006).

14.32.040 Aircraft on the water.

All vessels shall keep clear of aircraft landing within any area now or hereafter set aside by law for such purpose. Aircraft on the water shall keep clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. (Ord. 2457 § 1, 2006).

14.32.050 Litter and debris – Nuisances.

A. It is unlawful for any person to throw, cast, place in, or cause or permit to be thrown or placed any litter, debris, refuse of any kind, structures or pieces of structures, dead fish or parts thereof, dead animals or parts thereof, timber, logs, piles, boom sticks, lumber, boxes, empty containers or any article or substances of any kind floating uncontrolled on the water, in any of the waters of the City, upon the shores thereof or in such position that the same may or can be washed into the waters, either by high water, storms, floods or otherwise.

B. All such articles and substances are hereby declared to be public nuisances. Any person causing or permitting such nuisances to be placed as aforesaid shall remove the same and, upon his failure so to do, the same may be removed by the Police Department or Public Works Department. The expense thereof shall be paid by and recoverable from the person creating the nuisance. In all cases such nuisances shall not excuse the person responsible therefore from prosecution hereunder. A violation of this section is a civil infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $250.00. (Ord. 2457 § 1, 2006).

14.32.060 Oil.

It is unlawful for any owner, master or other person in charge of any vessel or any person upon the waters or upon or along the shore of the waters of the City to spill, throw, pump, or otherwise cause oil of any description to be or float upon the waters of the City. Any person causing oil to be upon the waters of the City as aforesaid shall remove the oil and, upon his failure so to do, the oil may be removed by the Police Department or Public Works Department and the expense thereof shall be paid by and recoverable from the person causing such oil to be upon the water. The payment of such sum, or the maintenance of an action therefor, shall not be deemed to exempt such person from prosecution for causing such oil spillage. (Ord. 2457 § 1, 2006).