Flotsam and jetsam

The family were gathered down the Déise for the last week in October: staying in an AirBnB with a panoramic view of Tramore Bay.  

Seven of us [3 shown L] took advantage of a fine blustery sunny afternoon on 29Oct to tromp along the shingle as far as The Rabbit-burrows. The Blob has been there before. It's about 3km there and 3km back, but, in contrast to me reg'lar uphill constitutional, it is on the flat. The footing is a bit more shifting. I had me eye open for "useful" items along the tideline. I explained my distraction to Gdau.I who was walking alongside: "On any beach, I'm always looking for flotsam and jetsam". She replied with "So, what's the difference?".  Fair enough: in casual speech, trials are always hanging out with tribulations. But, with my very expensive education, I was able to blag & bluster an explanation.  Neither of us were particularly satisfied, and as soon as our devices picked up a good signal, the medieval law-of-the-sea answer was revealed.

• Flotsam: matèriel, the work of human hands, which is washed into the sea from a ship and continues to float.
• may be claimed by the finder unless the owners can establish their rights in court 
• Jetsam: floating matèriel, which is deliberately thrown overboard to lighten the load of a troubled vessel.
• normally finders keepers: the original owners having thrown it away 
• Ligan: heavy stuff which sinks, or is sunk, but is attached to a floating buoy or marker.
• may still be claimed by the owners
• Seawrack, sticks, shells, seal carcasses are not Flotsam in the correct / legal sense. 

There we go, glad that's been sorted. About 5 hours after that flotsam jetsam discussion, I was walking a different tideline at Sunset with Gdau.I's father aka The Boy. He'd missed the morning walk, for reasons, and every good boy deserves beach.

Because they love each other very much, he asked exactly the same flotsam & jetsam question as his daughter. Because of our earlier research, I could give a much more confident answer. But who really cares to open a dictionary when you're on a beach empty of people . . . and unexpectedly light on flotsam. 
And for heaven's sake, carpe diem! and get out while you can. The following day, HallowE'enE'en was all blustery rain and yellow wind warnings for the South Coast.