Banning Drinking on the Beach

Silly laws can’t overcome the creativity of the American people. 

The city council on Monday banned so-called “floatopia” parties where people booze it up on inner tubes offshore, closing a loophole in a beach alcohol ban.

Since voters banned drinking on the beach in November 2008, revelers have occasionally gathered a few feet offshore on Mission Bay on inner tubes, surfboards, rafts and other floating devices. The new measure, which takes effect immediately, prohibits drinking up to three miles offshore.

Speakers warned that the city was discouraging innocent fun and potentially driving away tourists. Council members said it was a question of saving lives, keeping beaches clean and sparing headaches for police and lifeguards.

I see a market for party barges that head a few miles off shore.  Of course, they could just allow drinking on the beaches where people who pass out will wake up with a bad sunburn instead of drowning.