Aurora Res Dive Flag

[robanna]

I was told by the range today that they would like everyone to start using Dive Flags at Aurora Res from now on.
He was very cool about it, not threatening me with a ticket or anything so I imaging that they won't be enforcing it for the rest of the year but I'll bet they start to crack down starting next season.

 

[mhedstrom]

Really? They must have just made that decision. We were there last Friday and nobody said anything to us (and we went to the main office too to get the gate key). Did they say why?

 

[Red_5]

when we were there, what 2 weeks ago now(?), they recommended a flag so they (park staff) know there are divers in the water. The sign posted at the dive beach states that you're supposed to have a flag.

 

[RonFrank]

I think the rules already state that a dive flag is required, but maybe I'm thinking of somewhere else.

If they enforce a dive flag rule, so be it. Last year when we surfaced, there were two fishing boats, motor boats, inside the scuba area. Maybe they have run across too many violations, and need to start enforcing the rules.

This my optimistic answer. Another thought is that they hate us after CO dive days! They were none too happy that we were bouncing outside of their kiddy pool rope off area.

 

[knotical]

Searching for additional background, I found nothing about a flag in the Aurora regulations here:
http://www.auroragov.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/article-publication/029104.pdf
(and very little about scuba)

But there is a blurb in the Colorado boating regulations here:
http://parks.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/B61851B2-F5EA-4AEA-A419-2C11780F6594/0/O7_BoatRegs.pdf

#216 - SCUBA DIVING
1. Every person in the water, outside a designated swimming area, using an underwater breathing device often known as scuba gear, shall display a diver’s flag, having one diagonal white stripe on a red background and capable of being identified at a distance of not less than one hundred yards. Such flag shall be placed at or near the point of submergence, and shall constitute a warning that a diver is submerged and may be within a radius of one hundred feet from such a flag. Vessels shall keep a distance of one hundred feet from the diver’s flag. Scuba divers shall keep a distance of one hundred feet from dam outlet structures.
2. If a vessel is engaged in diving operations and as a consequence is restricted in its ability to maneuver, a rigid replica of the international code flag “A” or Alpha Flag shall be displayed. The flag must be not less than one meter in height and the flag must be blue and white in color.
3. The requirement that the Alpha Flag be displayed from a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver does not relieve the requirement that the diver’s flag also be displayed at or near the point of submergence.

Isn't Scuba Beach a designated swimming area?

Whatever the regulations, the rangers dictum will carry the day.
Does anyone know the specific wording on the sign?

Other questions:
Can the flag be tethered to a training platform?
Does each group need their own flag?
Can the flag be left in the water during breaks from diving? etc.

This could lead to a discussion of the intent.
Is the flag to warn boaters off?
<But boaters are not supposed to be inside the Scuba Beach buoys.>
Is the flag to alert the rangers that there are divers submerged? i.e. what specific benefits does the flag provide?

I wonder if there was an incident that led to this recent interest in dive flags.

 

[ddavies]

When I was there last, we had a discussion about having a dive flag because a Ranger had said it was recommended. On the sign, at the dive beach, it says that a dive flag is required. I had assumed that the sign was referencing the general boating reg. that says we need a flag. Having a flag in a designated dive area seems over kill. Maybe, they think we are sneaking outside the designated area. I guess I will start bringing one.

 

[robanna]

From my conversation with the ranger, it sounded like they had let the dive flag requirement slip over the past few years and they were trying to get back on top of it.

As far as tying off a flag to a platform or anchoring it, its my understanding that that is OK as long as you stay within 100 feet of it.

I think I had the same conversation as ddavies...the ranger recommended it but the sign says required.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I don't foresee any tickets for not having one but I told him I'd pass on the message.

 

[robanna]

I just found a link to the Aurora res regulations sign courtesy of RonFrank;
All Divers must comply with Regulation 216...
1) All divers must display a dive flag...

 

[RonFrank]

I just found a link to the Aurora res regulations sign courtesy of RonFrank;
All Divers must comply with Regulation 216...
1) All divers must display a dive flag...

Number one! I thought it was there, I just generally ignore the rule even if I have a flag.

I also noticed that #10 states no spearfishing. While the spearfishing there would suck, I did not remember that.

 

[Waterskier1]

when we were there, what 2 weeks ago now(?), they recommended a flag so they (park staff) know there are divers in the water. The sign posted at the dive beach states that you're supposed to have a flag.

I suspect this is the main reason: So they (park staff) know there are divers in the water". I think most of us leave enough gear on the beach to indicate that someone might still be there, but if some hiked in, with just what they needed, the staff wouldn't know someone was there. More importantly, they wouldn't necessarily know that somone was missing.

I believe that one flag per group, as long as the whole group was together, and withing 100 feet of the flag, is all that is needed. I have never seen multiple dive flags in the same area, although each and every boat that is restricted in it's ability to manuver, must fly the Alpha Flag, even if another boat in the same area is also flying it. But that has more to do with the boat's ability to leave/manuver, than how many divers are down.