This question may be a stretch for this forum but the pervious post about flags had me thinking about what happen last year. I read about a dive site, an old sugar ship that had sunk many years ago. I found it on the chart and thought it would make a fun destination for snokeling. When we arrived we were the only one's there. I anchored and the boat drifted about 100 feet from the site. The four of us jumped in, swam to the site and enjoyed swimming and snokeling untill I notice a stink boat traveling at 40 knots directly at us. At about 300 yards he turned off but not before giving me some lip service about not having a divers flag displayed on the boat. I am happy to accept responsiblity for this event and I am glad no one was hurt.I have since purchasd a dive flag but I don't know the rules about displaying it. Is it a good idea to display a divers flag when swimming near your boat? Is it legal if your not a diver? I don't know why a stink boat would have to travel within a 100 feet of an anchored boat at 40 knots anyway, as if the Gulf of Mexico isn't big enough for two of us. {venting}. Anyway, thank you Phil for the leeway on this subject. Jack
Diver down Flag
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There is No National Rule...
...for a "Diver Down" flag. But many states have adopted their own. Check the following link for a site that has individual state rules. http://www.dive-flag.com/law.html Have fun! It's been s few years since I've dived.
...for a "Diver Down" flag. But many states have adopted their own. Check the following link for a site that has individual state rules. http://www.dive-flag.com/law.html Have fun! It's been s few years since I've dived.
Thanks for the site
Great web site. I understand as an "acting captain" of a vessel I should have already known the rules. Now I do. I will buy another dive flag, the kind that floats and will anchor it in the water when ever we go in. thanks again, Jack
Great web site. I understand as an "acting captain" of a vessel I should have already known the rules. Now I do. I will buy another dive flag, the kind that floats and will anchor it in the water when ever we go in. thanks again, Jack
You only need a diver's flag if you are diving.
Often, when a diver is down below, there may or may not be a boat near by. A diver down flag is to notify other boaters that there is a diver below the surface. No, you don't have to be a certified diver to use one, but if you are not certified, well, you shouldn't be diving anyway. There are lots of safety concerns when you are on scuba. If you are swimming or snorkling, you don't need one, especially if you are swimming next to your boat. That being said, if you want to make sure other boaters sees you, even if you are on the surface, a flag wouldn't hurt. A person's head bobbing above water is not easy to see. That power boater heading towards you shouldn't be doing that anyway, since your boat was right there. But, maybe the power boater thought the people were on your boat, and not in the water. Safety always should comes first. Go buy a dive flag.
Often, when a diver is down below, there may or may not be a boat near by. A diver down flag is to notify other boaters that there is a diver below the surface. No, you don't have to be a certified diver to use one, but if you are not certified, well, you shouldn't be diving anyway. There are lots of safety concerns when you are on scuba. If you are swimming or snorkling, you don't need one, especially if you are swimming next to your boat. That being said, if you want to make sure other boaters sees you, even if you are on the surface, a flag wouldn't hurt. A person's head bobbing above water is not easy to see. That power boater heading towards you shouldn't be doing that anyway, since your boat was right there. But, maybe the power boater thought the people were on your boat, and not in the water. Safety always should comes first. Go buy a dive flag.
But don't do it the 'Puget Sound Way'
We have a whole fleet of old stink potters up here. They are mostly tied up. They don't go out that much because fuel costs money and they don't have much. And they seem to be owned by young males with little income potential. But the thing this fleet has in common is the PERMANENTLY PAINTED DIVE FLAG ON THE SUPERSTRUCTURE. These guys may dive, but they also want the whole world to know it, ALL OF THE TIME. They are usually ex-navy, UDT rejects that had to get their training outside of the Navy. And I actually went by one THAT WAS DIVING while motoring in my dingy once. It was calm out. I could see the bubbles. It was also shallow so the diver was within 20 feet of his bubbles. I changed course to clear the bubbles by at least a hundred yards. Not good enough. The jerk on the tender started flapping his arms and yelling at me while he pointed to the bubbles. I pointed at the bubbles too and kept going. Of course, his flag was painted. He just wanted the world to revolve around him.
We have a whole fleet of old stink potters up here. They are mostly tied up. They don't go out that much because fuel costs money and they don't have much. And they seem to be owned by young males with little income potential. But the thing this fleet has in common is the PERMANENTLY PAINTED DIVE FLAG ON THE SUPERSTRUCTURE. These guys may dive, but they also want the whole world to know it, ALL OF THE TIME. They are usually ex-navy, UDT rejects that had to get their training outside of the Navy. And I actually went by one THAT WAS DIVING while motoring in my dingy once. It was calm out. I could see the bubbles. It was also shallow so the diver was within 20 feet of his bubbles. I changed course to clear the bubbles by at least a hundred yards. Not good enough. The jerk on the tender started flapping his arms and yelling at me while he pointed to the bubbles. I pointed at the bubbles too and kept going. Of course, his flag was painted. He just wanted the world to revolve around him.
It's the Law in Florida
If you are diving or snorkling you are supposed to be withing 100' ? of a dive flag. It probably wouldn't hurt just for swimming to let people know that someone is in the water. With SCUBA it is a pain in the a$$ to tow a floating flag as they tend to find someway to get tangled.
If you are diving or snorkling you are supposed to be withing 100' ? of a dive flag. It probably wouldn't hurt just for swimming to let people know that someone is in the water. With SCUBA it is a pain in the a$$ to tow a floating flag as they tend to find someway to get tangled.
Corrections
A diver means using a mask and snorkle or underwater breathing apparatus. It is against the law to display the flag unless a "diver" is in the water. The 100' rule is in inlets ,rivers and channels. In more open water it is 300' and just as divers are supposed to stay within those limits other boats are supposed to stay outside of those limits. A google search with "divers flag" and "florida" will give you all of the facts. I almost never swim in Florida without a mask so I guess I'm almost always a "diver". I guess that the law assumes that a stinkpotter will see a swimmer on the surface but might miss someone going up and down as in snorkiling.
A diver means using a mask and snorkle or underwater breathing apparatus. It is against the law to display the flag unless a "diver" is in the water. The 100' rule is in inlets ,rivers and channels. In more open water it is 300' and just as divers are supposed to stay within those limits other boats are supposed to stay outside of those limits. A google search with "divers flag" and "florida" will give you all of the facts. I almost never swim in Florida without a mask so I guess I'm almost always a "diver". I guess that the law assumes that a stinkpotter will see a swimmer on the surface but might miss someone going up and down as in snorkiling.
Fred, You are right about those.....
I have also seen a few of those too around my neck of the woods.
I have also seen a few of those too around my neck of the woods.
way back when
Some states require the diver down flag anytime someone's in the water, water skier goes down, the DD flag has to go up, move to another state and you almost have to learn a completely new set of regs. I'd say for sure the guys with the flag painted would be found in violation if someone was to hit one of their divers, a painted image or decal is not a flag and does not fulfill the requirements Speaking of new regs, I vote that jets skis and the like should be required to display a 4x7ft water skeeter flag mounted on a large (8x8?) float with at least one 55 gallon floatation chamber at each corner, no more than 10 feet from the stern of their craft. outa keep them and everyone else safe. ken
Some states require the diver down flag anytime someone's in the water, water skier goes down, the DD flag has to go up, move to another state and you almost have to learn a completely new set of regs. I'd say for sure the guys with the flag painted would be found in violation if someone was to hit one of their divers, a painted image or decal is not a flag and does not fulfill the requirements Speaking of new regs, I vote that jets skis and the like should be required to display a 4x7ft water skeeter flag mounted on a large (8x8?) float with at least one 55 gallon floatation chamber at each corner, no more than 10 feet from the stern of their craft. outa keep them and everyone else safe. ken
Common Sense
The "International Code of Signals" is an internationally accepted practice of flag use throughout the world. If certain US states opt not to comply there is little to indicate to other boaters from afar that a diver is at risk. These rules apply in international waters anyway. Flag "A" indicates "I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed". It is wise to have this whether you are snorkeling or SCUBA diving (or even just swimming). Flag "B" indicates "I am taking in, discharging or carrying hazardous goods" and a wide berth is requested - and so on down the alphabet. Flags are difficult to see from upwind and many dive boats use an "A" 'flag' painted on a piece of plywood mounted on a stick. If you don't want to bother with an A flag when diving then may I commend one to be draped over your coffin instead!
The "International Code of Signals" is an internationally accepted practice of flag use throughout the world. If certain US states opt not to comply there is little to indicate to other boaters from afar that a diver is at risk. These rules apply in international waters anyway. Flag "A" indicates "I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed". It is wise to have this whether you are snorkeling or SCUBA diving (or even just swimming). Flag "B" indicates "I am taking in, discharging or carrying hazardous goods" and a wide berth is requested - and so on down the alphabet. Flags are difficult to see from upwind and many dive boats use an "A" 'flag' painted on a piece of plywood mounted on a stick. If you don't want to bother with an A flag when diving then may I commend one to be draped over your coffin instead!
In Addition
In addition to the 'proper' flags - I carry an orange water skier down flag. In case of an MOB, I am not sure that all boaters (we know what kind) would know what an "A" flag stood for. The kind that doesn't understand the flags is at least likely understand that the orange water skier down flag means a person in the water. I am not sure if such a usage would be legal - but given the practicalities of sometimes low boater education, I think it a safety item on a practical basis.
In addition to the 'proper' flags - I carry an orange water skier down flag. In case of an MOB, I am not sure that all boaters (we know what kind) would know what an "A" flag stood for. The kind that doesn't understand the flags is at least likely understand that the orange water skier down flag means a person in the water. I am not sure if such a usage would be legal - but given the practicalities of sometimes low boater education, I think it a safety item on a practical basis.
Two Flags & their meaning
Having been the president of one of the largest dive clubs in the country, my understanding is that the only nationally recognized "diver's" flag (yes, this means the Coast Guard too) is the Alpha flag, which means the vessel has restricted movement (maybe a diver down). Locally, State, county, city ordinances all vary & most utilize the Diver down flag. In Washington, we fly both to keep the feds and local agencies happy...Practically speaking, most folks recognize the diver down flag and the only folks who are informed enough to understand the alpha flag are also smart enough to keep a safe distance from anchored vessels anyhow. Happy diving! er, snorkeling.
Having been the president of one of the largest dive clubs in the country, my understanding is that the only nationally recognized "diver's" flag (yes, this means the Coast Guard too) is the Alpha flag, which means the vessel has restricted movement (maybe a diver down). Locally, State, county, city ordinances all vary & most utilize the Diver down flag. In Washington, we fly both to keep the feds and local agencies happy...Practically speaking, most folks recognize the diver down flag and the only folks who are informed enough to understand the alpha flag are also smart enough to keep a safe distance from anchored vessels anyhow. Happy diving! er, snorkeling.
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