Unfortunately, I saw multiple divers within the boat channel yesterday. Not sure if it was intentional as the current near the bridge was quite strong.
Blue Heron Bridge Trolls III
- Thread starter BHB ScubaTroll
- Start date
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Unfortunately, I saw multiple divers within the boat channel yesterday. Not sure if it was intentional as the current near the bridge was quite strong.
johndiver999
Contributor
Well if you end up in the boat channel (with or without a flag) you should get a ticket.
From Florida Statute 327.331
(2)All divers must prominently display a divers-down warning device in the area in which the diving occurs, other than when diving in an area customarily used for swimming only. A divers-down buoy may not be used or displayed onboard a vessel.
(3) A diver or group of divers may not display one or more divers-down warning devices on a river, inlet, or navigation channel, except in case of emergency, in a manner that unreasonably constitutes a navigational hazard.
(4) Divers shall make reasonable efforts to stay within 100 feet of a divers-down warning device on rivers, inlets, and navigation channels. A person operating a vessel on a river, inlet, or navigation channel must make a reasonable effort to maintain a distance of at least 100 feet from any divers-down warning device.
(5) Divers must make reasonable efforts to stay within 300 feet of a divers-down warning device on all waters other than rivers, inlets, and navigation channels. A person operating a vessel on waters other than a river, inlet, or navigation channel must make a reasonable effort to maintain a distance of at least 300 feet from any divers-down warning device.
So does BHB fall under #4, or #5. I am guessing Law Enforcement would call it #4. Either way, there is no reason any diver should be in the boating channel according to #3. Also seems like a dive flag would not be needed in the swimming area, according to #2. I am also guessing that a lot of individuals without flags think that there are so many other divers with flags, that they are covered.
OneRestlessNative
Contributor
Is 8am early enough on a Sunday to get decent parking and beat the crowd or should we plan to be there earlier? What time does the park officially open?
Park opens at sunrise technically.
This Sunday high tide is at 11:04 so you should plan to splash around 10. I’d say 8 am is probably ok for arrival but if you want to assure yourself close parking 7-7:30 would be better. The park has been very busy on weekends of late.
Uh yeah, on the west side definitely. On the south side, problem is there are no underwater markings that alert you to the channel. I always thought a good project would be to drop a rope or chain of some kind, securing it permanently that give some sort of warning where the channel starts.
I've wandered into the channel more times than I can count, every time unintentionally.
tarponchik
Contributor
I do this all the time, quite often intentionally. W/o the flag, of course.
Finally made it to the bridge last weekend, toting a new camera. So the dive was a lot about just figuring out what it would do and not do.. pretty impressed. One thing I learned is its easier to shoot a non moving subject than the fish.. But I did get lucky on a few shots. Nothing fantastic awesome.. but its a start..
Awesome shots, Jen-ney! I need to go troll the bridge again and soon.
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