Detecting in the water off the Treasure Coast

[Crunchyhippo]

Is it true that one can't metal detect in the water off the Treasure Coast, but only in the surf and on the sand? Seems like I had read that somewhere. I was thinking of visiting Daytona Beach, but I didn't want to get some kind of ticket by going in the water, which I do often here in the Clearwater area.

 

[TORRERO]

It is state law, its not like a parking ticket. State doesnt confiscate your detector, or car, or boat for speeding tickets or Jay walking, but can do so for illegally hunting lease areas.

Penalties for illegal salvage

Third-degree felony: Intentionally excavating or disturbing publicly owned submerged historical sites without written permission from the Florida Division of Historical Resources is a third-degree felony.

Administrative fines: Florida law allows for administrative fines of up to $500 per day for anyone who salvages historical objects from state lands without a permit.

Injunctions: The state can seek court injunctions to stop unauthorized salvage operations.

Confiscation and forfeiture: Those convicted can have all of their gear and equipment used in the violation forfeited.

Prison sentences: In addition to fines, convictions can carry prison sentences. For example, a man who illegally sold coins from a 1715 fleet shipwreck faced up to 15 years in prison.

Prohibition from salvage work: As part of plea deals, individuals have been banned from participating in any future salvage operations.

Theft charges: Violators who illegally take and sell artifacts can be charged with dealing in stolen property, leading to additional penalties.

You can also face federal charges..

FYI, Queens Jewels pays multiple homeowners who live on the beach where leases are to report any suspicious activity in the water that involves metal detectors, the state also flies helicopters over the lease areas looking for violators.

Remember, illegally detecting/hunting the leases means you are stealing from the state and Queens Jewels, and the state both take it very serious.

Listen 👂 I get ALL of that, but there is a HUGE difference between running an illegal mining operation on leased land and accidentally walking into the water with your metal detector in a “leased” area… do you see the difference ? I’m pretty certain that if Joe Bob was walking on the beach and he got a signal and began digging and a wave came up and washed over the hole, now making it in the surf instead of on land… I’m sure nobody is going to come confiscate his equipment and fine him $500 and hand him a 3rd degree felony… THATS what I’m talking about… not some group of people running an illegal mining operation 🤷🏼‍♂️😂 wow you read into what I say some crazy shit

 

[surfnturf]

Listen 👂 I get ALL of that, but there is a HUGE difference between running an illegal mining operation on leased land and accidentally walking into the water with your metal detector in a “leased” area… do you see the difference ? I’m pretty certain that if Joe Bob was walking on the beach and he got a signal and began digging and a wave came up and washed over the hole, now making it in the surf instead of on land… I’m sure nobody is going to come confiscate his equipment and fine him $500 and hand him a 3rd degree felony… THATS what I’m talking about… not some group of people running an illegal mining operation 🤷🏼‍♂️😂 wow you read into what I say some crazy shit

Here in the state of Massachusetts, we have what’s called national seashores there’s a famous shipwreck called the whydah same thing as Fla rules!! It’s has a lease and hands off this means no detecting on the beach or in the water unless you are escorted by a Ranger looking for a specific lost item). Trust me I know someone personally who thought it was a joke and went and detected well fleet beach. well he lost his metal Detector for good. They almost impounded his truck and the next Monday he had to appear in court, settled with a $250 fine

 

[TORRERO]

Here in the state of Massachusetts, we have what’s called national seashores there’s a famous shipwreck called the whydah same thing as Fla rules!! It’s has a lease and hands off this means no detecting on the beach or in the water unless you are escorted by a Ranger looking for a specific lost item). Trust me I know someone personally who thought it was a joke and went and detected well fleet beach. well he lost his metal Detector for good. They almost impounded his truck and the next Monday he had to appear in court, settled with a $250 fine

But this is a little different as it's like a National or State park, where Metal Detecting is Completely prohibited, it's probably clearly posted and well known.
I don't hunt Civil War battle sites because I know it's illegal, I don't hunt State Parks or National Parks because for the most part it's illegal. Clearly in this instance ALL those beaches dry AND wet sand are off limits...
But in Florida your splitting hairs... IF the tide is high, walking in the water would be "OUT OF THE WATER" at low tide and ok... All I said was since there are no signs on the beach, Clearly if you are at LOW TIDE and you are in the surf waist deep hunting with an underwater machine, then you are clearly doing something you are not supposed to do, but in 40 years I have never seen police on ANY beaches monitoring the crowds to arrest people ..... .( comment deleted for rule violation on politics).

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

The law is clear, on treasure coast beaches with leases we can detect from toe of dunes to the water line, water line changes as the tide moves, so you can obviously detect further at low tides, but still no detectors are allowed in the water, high or low tide on treasure leases unless you are a contractor for Queens Jewels who owns all the leases. The law does not say or imply you can detect waist deep at high tide.

State of Florida owns everything found in the water over 50 years old, especially if it is of historical in nature such as the 1715 Fleet.

On another note members can not, intentionally or not, use TreasureNet to encourage, advocate, or mislead members to violate, or committ unlawful acts under the pretext that they want get caught, no one knows, or cares, it violates our rules.

 

[TORRERO]

On another note members can not, intentionally or not, use TreasureNet to encourage, advocate, or mislead members to violate, or committ unlawful acts under the pretext that they want get caught, no one knows, or cares, it violates our rules

I'm not

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I'm not

Yes you are, you have made multiple comments that some members, unaware with FL laws could encourage them to violate Fl law..

Maybe it's not your intent, but comments could encourage some members, especially new members who do not understand the law to violate Florida laws.

It could also lead the state to outlaw all metal detecting on treasure coast beaches, where it currently is legal between the toe of dunes and the waterline.

"if the tide is anywhere up at all and your wading in the water, that would actually be out of the water at low tide, right?"

"Seems hard to imagine they could do much unless you were at absolute low tide out 20 feet from that line…"

"accidentally walking into the water with your metal detector in a “leased” area"

"IF the tide is high, walking in the water would be "OUT OF THE WATER" at low tide"

 

[TORRERO]

Yes you are, you have made multiple comments that some members, unaware with FL laws could encourage them to violate Fl law..

Maybe it's not your intent, but comments could encourage some members, especially new members who do not understand the law to violate Florida laws.

It could also lead the state to outlaw all metal detecting on treasure coast beaches, where it currently is legal between the toe of dunes and the waterline.

"if the tide is anywhere up at all and your wading in the water, that would actually be out of the water at low tide, right?"

"Seems hard to imagine they could do much unless you were at absolute low tide out 20 feet from that line…"

"accidentally walking into the water with your metal detector in a “leased” area"

"IF the tide is high, walking in the water would be "OUT OF THE WATER" at low tide"

I'm certainly sorry if you took it that way, it was not my intention, I would NEVER advocate breaking laws and IF you feel my comments were that I apologize for it.
PLEASE NOBODY HERE BREAK THE LAW BECAUSE OF ANYTHING I HAVE SAID !!! Thank you !!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I'm certainly sorry if you took it that way, it was not my intention, I would NEVER advocate breaking laws and IF you feel my comments were that I apologize for it.
PLEASE NOBODY HERE BREAK THE LAW BECAUSE OF ANYTHING I HAVE SAID !!! Thank you !!

No apology needed sir, as I stated it may not have been your intent....