Why the red and white "Diver down" flag?

[Storker]

The generally recognized signal for "I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed" is the blue and white alpha flag. Except if you're in North America, where the red-with-white-diagonal flag seems to be the standard.

Since the alpha flag is the International Maritime Organization's required signal and is (supposed to be) recognized by boaters in the rest of the world, why isn't it used much in North America?

 

[Lorenzoid]

Because the red and white flag became entrenched in our relatively isolated and fiercely independent part of the world before globalization?

I know it wasn't your question, but I think @Sam Miller III has insight on the history of the red and white flag: September 22, a historical day for diving

 

[Duglum]

The alpha flag is also the official flag/sign in the US. It's used by the US Navy etc. The red/white flag does not have any official meaning at all.

Guess it's just you americans and your weird systems... like using bats*** crazy imperial instead of metric like the rest of the world.

 

[Storker]

Because the red and white flag became entrenched in our relatively isolated and fiercely independent part of the world before globalization?

So what you're saying is that you're, uh, "special"?

 

[kelemvor]

The red/white flag does not have any official meaning at all.

That is incorrect. At least in Florida, USA the red/white flag is required by law. I remember learning about the blue one in NAUI open water class but I don't think I've ever seen the blue flag in use. However, I've only been diving in Florida, USA - Roatan, HN - and Cozumel, MX.

Here's the plain English summary of the law directly from the state agency charged with enforcing that particular law.
Florida Boating Regulations (click "diver's down warning devices")

Here are the laws governing the diver's down flag use:
Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes :->2010->Chapter 327 : Online Sunshine

Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes :->2010->Chapter 328 : Online Sunshine

Unfortunately, the law doesn't really have any teeth when it comes to enforcement. I had talked with some other divers at a scubaboard event where we planned to put up signs at boat ramps across the state but never got going on the project. The main problem is that you can just get on a boat and drive with no training. So most boaters probably don't know what either flag means. That might earn the FWC a tiny sum if they ticket someone but it isn't really helping safety. The other problem is that the fines are so trivial, and boat owners tend to be financially well off. Most boat owners would probably not really care much about the fine.

 

[Kharon]

Unfortunately, the blue & white is even far less recognized by the moronic, uninformed boaters in the US. The red & white is occasionally recognized and even sometimes respected. As far a I am concerned, any dive flag in the US is simply a target for a$$hats.

 

[Duglum]

That is incorrect. At least in Florida, USA the red/white flag is required by law.

Huh, strange. Thanks for the info. Seems to be different in other US-States though..? Which makes it even weirder.

 

[Storker]

Unfortunately, the blue & white is even far less recognized by the moronic, uninformed boaters in the US.

If it's of any consolation, we have our share of moronic clueless boaters also on our side of the pond.

 

[StefinSB]

Huh, strange. Thanks for the info. Seems to be different in other US-States though..? Which makes it even weirder.

What is so strange about States having different rules? You living in Bavaria should be very familiar with that phenomena. ;-)

 

[Duglum]

Well yes, of course... but when it comes to safety regulations and/or standard signals most things are regulated on a federal level (or even on an EU level nowadays).