Best dive flag for snorkeling and freediving

[mmerriman]

This is not true. Boats can operate close to flags IF they are at idle (steerage speed).

While logical - this actually is not true. Cases in point - New York says 100 ft - no headway speed allowed. Vermont says A person shall not operate any vessel, except a nonmotorized canoe, a nonmotorized rowboat or a police or emergency vessel, within 200 feet of a divers-down flag. I'm sure there are other examples.

everyone would benefit from clear and consistent rules here.

 

[Sbiriguda]

A federalist government has many advantages but perhaps on this specific topic having only one law or regulation all over your country would be easier...

 

[The Chairman]

no headway speed allowed.

New York statutes stipulate: "Other boats must keep at least 100 feet away from either flag unless the boat is actively servicing divers on the surface or below."
Vermont adds in the next paragraph: "(3) Nothing herein shall prohibit rendering assistance to another person, picking up a person in the water, necessary mooring or landing, or leaving shore, or operating in any other place where obstruction, other than the shoreline, would prevent abiding by this statute."

How else would they be able to pick up divers? So, I disagree with your conclusions.

 

[Ana]

I was just thinking that it would be mighty difficult to be a dive vessel in New York and/or Vermont if you can not move closer to 100 ft. of a flag

 

[Ana]

A federalist government has many advantages but perhaps on this specific topic having only one law or regulation all over your country would be easier...

It seems overwhelming sometimes but keep in mind that size and location does matter. Italy's coastline is on 4 or 5 seas with the most known being the Mediterranean but I venture to say that being so close together conditions would be somehow similar. Not saying things around Venice would be the same as in Palermo but the differences are probably less that if we try to compare the Keys in Florida with Anchorage in Alaska. I get the feeling there would have to be so many exceptions to the regulations that just having different rules would be just as well.

 

[The Chairman]

I get the feeling there would have to be so many exceptions to the regulations that just having different rules would be just as well.

Indeed, and since enforcement is largely done by the individual states, they should choose what they want to enforce. I believe boat ownership in Florida exceeds all the other states. Our mosquito fleet is pretty amazing but can make the waters dangerous during high volume days like lobster mini-season. Florida's FWC runs both boater education on dive flags as well as stings.

 

[mmerriman]

New York statutes stipulate: "Other boats must keep at least 100 feet away from either flag unless the boat is actively servicing divers on the surface or below."
Vermont adds in the next paragraph: "(3) Nothing herein shall prohibit rendering assistance to another person, picking up a person in the water, necessary mooring or landing, or leaving shore, or operating in any other place where obstruction, other than the shoreline, would prevent abiding by this statute."

How else would they be able to pick up divers? So, I disagree with your conclusions.

You are correct. However I was (attempting) to point out that in some states the laws explicitly allow for ANY boat traffic within the dive flag zone at headway speed, whereas some states (NY and VT referenced above) do not - only the vessel servicing the diver or rendering aid.

 

[CLoP]

I have a Trident float and my flag is ziptied to a tent pole. It nice because it sticks up high but unfortunately I lost it because it fell off as I was pulling the line up (I jump on top of the float to pull the line up). I have another one in order and I intend mounting it on another tether and a small floaty thing so it doesn't sink to the bottom of the ocean.

Some pics:

 

[Sbiriguda]

I am considering to buy one that could allow me to hold the buoy and rest a little in case I go back to the surface while freediving. So the best would probably be torpedo-like buoys
Which is the best buoy type for this purpose?

 

[CLoP]

I am considering to buy one that could allow me to hold the buoy and rest a little in case I go back to the surface while freediving. So the best would probably be torpedo-like buoys
Which is the best buoy type for this purpose?

That's half the purpose of the float I(we) use. Purpose one is to hold the line. Purpose two is for an ascending freediver to grab onto and rest after a long deep dive. Purpose t I think it's called an abalone float. It's basically a tire innertube with a cover so you can pretty much jump on top of it and it will float you. The torpedo floats, as far as I know, tip over with the pointy side down so it may not be as suitable. My freediving buddy in Hawaii bought one for the same reason as yours but regretted it because...well...it stands up.