Dive Flag Question

[johlar]

I was at STB yesterday loading my boat on its trailer when another boat owner told me that he had watched 2 divers get a $50 ticket, from the Environmental police, for not having both lobster license numbers on their dive flag.

Does anyone know if the dive flag law for Mass states that. What are you supposed to do if there are 3 divers.

 

[ScubaNorth]

The way I solved this problem is use a sign board made of plastic and stick on numbers. I drilled a few holes on one edge and added binder rings. Now you just slip it on the flag pole and put the dive flag on top.

You are allowed as a simple solution to write the numbers on the flag stripe itself if you like. Three divers two flags. Using the sign placard is easier and safer.

Even the State has trouble figuring out what is right, wrong, legal etc. err on the side of caution on this one.

 

[LobstaMan]

Johlar:

It specfiically states in the 2004 Division of Marine Fisheries abstract of fishing/shellfishing laws that several licensed divers may dive under one flag w/ one number on it. They all need to have their own license and have they own numbers on their tanks, though. If those divers received a ticket for not having all their numbers on one flag, I'd say they have a good cause for appeal.

I wish I could post a link, but I'm not very computer or internet savy. Sorry, maybe somebody else can do it or you could download the abstract off the website.

LobstaMan

 

[ScubaDobe]

Does anyone here know what the regulations are in Connecticut for displaying license numbers? I plan to get my first license next season and I'd like to be prepared. I'm all for doing it by the book. Thanks in advance!

 

[MASS-Diver]

I was at STB yesterday loading my boat on its trailer when another boat owner told me that he had watched 2 divers get a $50 ticket, from the Environmental police, for not having both lobster license numbers on their dive flag.

Does anyone know if the dive flag law for Mass states that. What are you supposed to do if there are 3 divers.

I'd appeal the fine, it's a strange law - just like having your numbers on your tank. Makes no sense to me.

 

[LobstaMan]

Forget previous post...I misread the abstract. How can you fit more than two sets of numbers on one flag? What if you dive from a charter boat for lobsters? Do you think all ten divers put their numbers on the dive boat's flag? Or do they make you carry your own around? Sounds like this EPO was busting the divers' chops to me. But, who knows I wasn't there.

Against the advice of my attorney(myself), here's an admission of guilt...when we dive for lobster we dive with one flag w/ my number on it only. Never had a problem. Oh well, send me the ticket.

Legal advice to those divers, appeal the ticket and throw yourself at the mercy of the court. If it's a first offense they'll probably throw it out and tell you to be good. Might be worth the effort.

LobstaMan

 

[hurleyskis]

I was out with CAD a few weeks ago and one of the instructors on board mentioned the same law to me. He said it is best to bring just your flag so you can tie it off to the boat if you plan on bugging.

So that's what i've been doing when i go out on charters or private boats. Shore diving i usually have my flag with numbers, but others with me who have licenses have never diplayed there numbers on my flag.

 

[large_diver]

Obviously most lobster-hunting divers on CAD and other charters don't display anything while underwater.....

Seems kind of silly that they are so strict about shore divers or people on private boats....

 

[Soggy]

The numbers on tanks thing is the most ludicrous law I've ever heard. Why? So you can be written up by an EPO who happens upon you underwater!?

 

[aquageek]

The commitee that came up with the tank regulation probably did not include anyone from the dive community. They seem to look at the flag as a substiute for a lobster buoy. In regulating the sport they had to develop some standard but in the real world, it should be that if you have a permit you're legal.