daniel f aleman
Contributor
Catherine has it the way I fly them, alpha on top.
Dive flag vs Alpha flag
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I couldn't find anything on the order in which they have to be displayed. The Alpha flag, however, does stand for diver down in the international community.
"I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed. With three numerals, azimuth or bearing."
"I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed. With three numerals, azimuth or bearing."
kjay
Registered
Here is info from the Oregon Boating Manual on the subject: (yeah I know an old dead post brought to life, but I thought it might help someone here in Oregon).
Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating Other Equipment
Diver-Down Flags
Federal law requires that scuba divers or snorkelers on federally controlled waters display the Alfa diver-down flag to mark their diving area. Two types of flags are used to indicate diving activity. (this is specific to the vessel)
A blue and white International Code Flag A (or Alfa flag), at least 3.3 feet (one meter) high and visible from all directions, must be displayed on vessels whenever these vessels are restricted in their ability to maneuver by the diving operation. This flag indicates that the vessel is involved in a diving activity.
A rectangular red flag, at least 15 x 15 inches, with a white diagonal stripe is used to indicate the presence of a submerged diver in the area. Display of this flag is not required by Oregon law and does not in itself restrict the use of the water; however, boaters should always use caution and slow to “slow, no wake speed” (maximum 5 mph) when operating within 200 feet of a displayed flag.
Scuba divers and snorkelers should not place a flag in an area already occupied by other boaters or in a waterway less than 300 feet wide. Divers also should follow all of the water safety rules themselves.
Oregon Administrative Rules OAR 250-021-0030 states:
(7) No person shall operate a personal watercraft in excess of a slow no wake, maximum 5 MPH speed:
(a) Within 200 feet of a boat launch ramp, dock, swim float, pier, marina or moorage, floating home or boathouse, or locations where persons are working at water levels on floats, logs or waterway construction;
(b) Within 200 feet of a swimmer, surfer, diving flag, bank or wading angler;
(c) Within 100 feet of any anchored or non-motorized vessel;
(d) Except on safe take-offs and landings, personal watercraft shall not operate in excess of a slow no wake, maximum 5 MPH speed within 200 feet of shoreline on all lakes, bays and reservoirs. A safe take-off or landing will not be considered "safe" unless it can be accomplished without risk to any swimmer or craft within 200 feet from shoreline.
Kjay
Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating Other Equipment
Diver-Down Flags
Federal law requires that scuba divers or snorkelers on federally controlled waters display the Alfa diver-down flag to mark their diving area. Two types of flags are used to indicate diving activity. (this is specific to the vessel)
A blue and white International Code Flag A (or Alfa flag), at least 3.3 feet (one meter) high and visible from all directions, must be displayed on vessels whenever these vessels are restricted in their ability to maneuver by the diving operation. This flag indicates that the vessel is involved in a diving activity.
A rectangular red flag, at least 15 x 15 inches, with a white diagonal stripe is used to indicate the presence of a submerged diver in the area. Display of this flag is not required by Oregon law and does not in itself restrict the use of the water; however, boaters should always use caution and slow to “slow, no wake speed” (maximum 5 mph) when operating within 200 feet of a displayed flag.
Scuba divers and snorkelers should not place a flag in an area already occupied by other boaters or in a waterway less than 300 feet wide. Divers also should follow all of the water safety rules themselves.
Oregon Administrative Rules OAR 250-021-0030 states:
(7) No person shall operate a personal watercraft in excess of a slow no wake, maximum 5 MPH speed:
(a) Within 200 feet of a boat launch ramp, dock, swim float, pier, marina or moorage, floating home or boathouse, or locations where persons are working at water levels on floats, logs or waterway construction;
(b) Within 200 feet of a swimmer, surfer, diving flag, bank or wading angler;
(c) Within 100 feet of any anchored or non-motorized vessel;
(d) Except on safe take-offs and landings, personal watercraft shall not operate in excess of a slow no wake, maximum 5 MPH speed within 200 feet of shoreline on all lakes, bays and reservoirs. A safe take-off or landing will not be considered "safe" unless it can be accomplished without risk to any swimmer or craft within 200 feet from shoreline.
Kjay
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As a charter boat in upstate NY, I fly both flags. Lake George is a big summer resort area and we have a lot of people coming down from Canada. The alpha flag as I know is known more to the Canadians. All in all though I still can't keep the smart boater away from my divers.
SkipperJohn
Contributor
It has been a long time since I took my tests to get my masters license, but as far as I know only the Alpha flag or code-A as it is properly known is a proper international signal. It doesn't actually mean diver down or even restricted in ability to maneuver, it means vessel engaged in work-stay clear and reduce speed. (Code D or Delta means restricted in ability to maneuver or RAM). I have seen work boat flying the code-a flag while repairing icebreakers on bridges or even support vessels in dredge operations.
Having said that, I recall many many years ago taking a boaters safety class we discussed the diver-down flag and the code-a. The instructor (who is simply a coast guard volunteer teaching the class-not in the coastguard) he did not know anything about the code-a. The diver-down is more recognizable in most areas. I like cancun mark's idea of flying both. They cost around $10 each. A small price to pay for the added protection.
Now... I did not check my information. It is from memory and I learned this stuff over 20 years ago. I'll dig up my rules of the road books and if I'm wrong I'll post a correction (or one of the other captains will be quick to do so I'm sure)
And yes, jet skis... dont get me started.
----edit----
check this out
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/dive-flag-awareness/271859-us-coast-guard-rules.html
knotical has a quote form the rules of the road, or the international colregs and the last paragraph states that a vessel engaged in diving operations shall exhibit the code-A flag.
Having said that, I recall many many years ago taking a boaters safety class we discussed the diver-down flag and the code-a. The instructor (who is simply a coast guard volunteer teaching the class-not in the coastguard) he did not know anything about the code-a. The diver-down is more recognizable in most areas. I like cancun mark's idea of flying both. They cost around $10 each. A small price to pay for the added protection.
Now... I did not check my information. It is from memory and I learned this stuff over 20 years ago. I'll dig up my rules of the road books and if I'm wrong I'll post a correction (or one of the other captains will be quick to do so I'm sure)
And yes, jet skis... dont get me started.
----edit----
check this out
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/dive-flag-awareness/271859-us-coast-guard-rules.html
knotical has a quote form the rules of the road, or the international colregs and the last paragraph states that a vessel engaged in diving operations shall exhibit the code-A flag.
siikik
Contributor
Yes, but the former example is pronounced the same. The latter is not.
uh-loo-muh-nuhm vs. al-yuh-min-ee-uhm
Ken
Believe it or not, the American spelling is truer to the original name. Sir Humphrey Davy (before the metal was discovered), proposed the that the metal should be called Aluminum. He was overruled by the scientific establishment in England who wanted to keep the ending of all the metallic names to be "ium". (Magnesium, Pottasium, Sodium etc). In 1925, the American Chemical society decided to stay with Aluminum. Confusion ever since.
PullmanSCUBA
Registered
I have a set up like Catherine has it set up. I personally fly mine with alfa on top because that is the flag that is required where I dive. I personally will put the flag that is required on top and the other on the bottom. Just my input. 
OP
emcbride81
Contributor
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