Dive Flag Violations

[Catito]

I recieved a citation today for beach diving without a dive flag. The fine is $109.
I never use a dive flag these days because I've had Three incidents where my flag was ran over or pulled up on in an effort to steal it, or whatever.
I do extreme beach dives with a DPV. I'm often a half mile off shore in 35 feet of depth. The dive flag has caused so many problems we finally gave up on them and just huge the bottom. We've never been less than 15 feet, except on the exit.
My question is: what is the penalty for my second offense? I don't plan on using the flags ever. I've gone 6 years and hundreds of dive before I was fined. $109 is certainly worth it to me. We plan our dives and dive our plans. The risks we've avoided ditching the flag are numerous in this particular area. Boaters actually aim for the flag. Jetskis definitely run them down. Not to mention the entanglements.
Anyway, if someone knows the penalty for my second offense that would be great. I had mo luck online finding this info.

Well, how did they catch you?

 

[Bob DBF]

Where do you live that has people aiming for your dive flag? Yikes

I would imagine anywhere, it's a nice target.

 

[MB NZ]

On the other side of the planet and have exactly the same issues. I won't tow a float/flag, although I do employ a DSMB at the end of a dive. Apparently, I'm breaking some sort of bylaw and could get fined.

 

[Jon Remington]

Jon, where were you when you got cited?
Was LE on the beach or on a boat, curious how this transpired.

It was at the beach on exit. I had a 133cf tank and a DPV. So, I was out for 3 hours. The FWC officer was sick of waiting for me. He actually told sunbathers to call him IF I ever came back in. The offending officer told me "No diver stays out over 3 hours. We thought you were dead and a recovery operation, without a dive flag, was going to make for a long day".

 

[Jon Remington]

Where do you live that has people aiming for your dive flag? Yikes

Fort Lauderdale, FL

 

[Jon Remington]

Maybe use a flag on an inflatable float for entry & exit? Could be deflated and stowed, basically used as an SMB.

We’ve had similar issues with local boaters, it’s a pain.

Lance

Excellent idea. I just cut some bungee cord to wrap my torpedo float. It has a flag on it.

 

[NaCl H2O]

It was at the beach on exit. I had a 133cf tank and a DPV. So, I was out for 3 hours. The FWC officer was sick of waiting for me. He actually told sunbathers to call him IF I ever came back in. The offending officer told me "No diver stays out over 3 hours. We thought you were dead and a recovery operation, without a dive flag, was going to make for a long day

Still laughing, that's excellent.
Take a flag out to the first reef, anchor or tie it off. Do your 3 hour tour and pick it up on the way back in.
If it's still there, that is

 

[TMHeimer]

I use my dive flag at one spot each summer in Connecticut. Because there is boat traffic near a boat launch. Other places I usually don't, but these are not places such as state beaches that have lifeguards and cops.
I have used it on every shore dive I've done in N.J. due to boat traffic and their strict laws.

Of course you are safe enough (I guess) if you stay on the bottom (unless surfacing in an emergency). It's obviously both the "nanny state" thing and a money grab. Perhaps you'd be OK if you anchored the flag then came back to it. I guess a boat could still destroy it.
The best solution is come to Nova Scotia where there are no flag laws, beach cops, lifeguards, parking fees, and no one give a sh$t what you do at the many many free shore dive sites. Water is a balmy 46F right now.

 

[Jon Remington]

Buy a rebreather. They'll never catch you.

I don't know. The offending officer said they thought I was dead, since I'd been out over 3 hours. I was on a 133cf tank and DPV. He was pissed that they might have to "do a recovery without a dive flag and that would make for a long day".
So I suppose the rebreather would definitely kick off an aerial survey.
The real problem here is: It's the Ocean and I'll come in whenever I want. If an FWC officer wants to measure Lobsters that's his problem. I don't feel beholden to his binoculars because he wants to go home and can't find that last diver.

 

[Jon Remington]

Still laughing, that's excellent.
Take a flag out to the first reef, anchor or tie it off. Do your 3 hour tour and pick it up on the way back in.
If it's still there, that is

That'd probably work. I mean, why wouldn't I just lay there and meditate offshore for 3 hours?.. If the guy's that concerned he could always strip down and check on me.