Dive Flags

[grouchyturtle]

How many of you WV divers use flags when shore diving? I know most places around here it is the law, but I also know a lot of guys refer to them as Jet Ski bowies.

I did a few dives on LI last year and we didn't use a flag, but there weren't really wasn't anyone around.

I did the train wreck at the water gap and we did use a flag, but since it's close to shore and in a pretty small area, we just anchored it.

Also 2 weeks ago on our sorry attempt at the dual wrecks we had one, but all it really did was make swimming through the surge a BIG PITA. Although it was a nice reference for me once we went down into the nice 2' vis!

When I was a little younger one of my non-diving buddies had a Wave Runner, and we used to fly on that thing like a bunch of A$$holes. And I know a few other people with houses down the shore and a fleet of Sea Doos. I know if any of us saw a flag back in those days we wouldn't have had a clue what it was, and probably would have been doing circles around it.

So what you guys do, or do you kind of decide depending on the site?

 

[TTSkipper]

Grunzster I was wondering the same thing and I just put together an order that included a float and flag for this year.

When we went diving at Beach 9th in November I did not even think of it because I am used to being there while there were schools doing classes, but there is a large 4'x3' flag on a 20 foot pole that you can stand up there to alert people that you are diving. There is a lot of traffic in the channel going out of Beach 9th but most of my diving has been confined to within the 2 breakwalls because that is where most of the life is since the channel is a sand bottom.

TTSkipper

 

[grouchyturtle]

I got one last season too, and brought it to all of those dive, but it just never even came out of the car.

 

[DennisS]

Down here in Florida the marine patrol is frequently waiting on shore to see if you are bringing illegal game ashore. They also are very picky about flags, I had one of those round buoys with a flag on it in a 3 foot orange raft. It was leaning to one side. The marine patrol officer informed me when I came ashore that it was supposed to be perpendicular. She'd been watching the flag for about 2 hours with her binoculars--E8 tank in 15-20 ft.

 

[DennisS]

How many of you WV divers use flags when shore diving? I know most places around here it is the law, but I also know a lot of guys refer to them as Jet Ski bowies.


When I was a little younger one of my non-diving buddies had a Wave Runner, and we used to fly on that thing like a bunch of A$$holes. And I know a few other people with houses down the shore and a fleet of Sea Doos. I know if any of us saw a flag back in those days we wouldn't have had a clue what it was, and probably would have been doing circles around it.

Florida SCUBA DIVING RULES

Dive Flag and Boating Regulations:
The size of diver-down flags displayed on vessels has been increased from 12'X12' to 20"X24" and requires a stiffener to keep the flag unfurled.

Flags are also required for beach entry divers.

Divers shall attempt to stay within 100 feet of the divers-down flag on rivers, inlets and navigation channels.

Vessels may approach within 100 feet or 300 feet of a divers- down flag at idle speed.

"Buzzing" a dive flag has been added to the description of reckless operation of a vessel, which is a first degree misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 6 months in jail.


Its fun to listen to the jet skiers whine when one place after another bans them, they're completely clueless

 

[Groundhog246]

Some areas around here (5 fathoms park) require a dive flag, other places it's just smart. Generally any areas with boat traffic we fly one, while you may get buzzed by a curious boater, or a PWC, a good portion of boaters do recognize and respect the flag, so the benefit generally outweighs the drawbacks.
As a boat owner, most of the flags I see are too small to be noticed. I've had a hard time locating a red can buoy, 3 feet tall and 2 feet dia at leass than 500 feet, so that little 12" dive flag that I'm not searching for may not be noticed at all. Especially if I'm downwind. The ones without a stiffener that count on a breeze to "fly" them are totally useless.
I'm working an a 4 armed (two pieces that intersect to make an X from above) design that will be visible from almost any angle. On our boat, I've got a 3 foot X 5 foot flag that I run up the mast. With it streaming, 18 feet above the water, we've never had a problem. Of course, most of the times we've flown it, we've been moored above a wreck and the only boats approaching are other divers.

 

[grouchyturtle]

Guys thanks for all the replies, but I've read a few posts on this issue already.

The reason I posted in here is because I specifically wanted to hear about the experiences snd to see what divers in my area do.

 

[ScottyK]

Grunz- I have a dive flag and do use it. The reason we didn't take it on the north shore dives we did with you is because of all those cool giant boulders in the area. They're a death trap for boats and Jet skis, so they avoid the area like the plague. That's why it's not overfished, and a great place to dive and fiddle around with new gear.

When we do the south shore inlets, the flag is a "must". Same with Beach 9th St. I also don't trust jet skis kids, or even adult boaters to recognize and respect it. I make navigation and compass checking a "priority" when shore diving high traffic areas. I won't surface for any reason short of an OOA situation.

I'd rather come ashore 100 yards from my entry point, and have to slog my gear, than stick my head up and have it lopped off by some idiot who doesn't know what a dive flag is.

Coincidentally, this months RSD has an article about a guy who died diving in a blackwater river. He didn't have a flag, didn't pay attention to the briefing, or where he was, and wound up getting hit by a barge.

 

[hnladue]

With more and more people being required to take a Boating Safety Course, I think more people will know what a Dive flag is!!

"On January 1 of this year a new law went into effect requiring all operators of personal watercraft (Jet-Skis®, etc) to complete an approved safe boating course. Upon successful completion, a certificate and a wallet card is awarded. The wallet card must be kept on one’s person while underway and must be shown on demand by Coast Guard or local law enforcement officials. Certification is also required for youth operators (age 10-17) of any power vessel. "

See also
http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/stateregs.htm

 

[grouchyturtle]

Yeah I read that one Scott. The problem is a lot of people take the class, but don't remember half of the stuff taught. They just want to get out in the water.

I read in the DAN mag what they're starting to do in FL is put BIG diver down flags, with a short explanation at the marinas, as you walk out onto the dock. This way it's the last thing boaters see, when heading out.

That doesn't really help with all the Jet Skis, Sea Doos, etc. which are probably a greater risk than the boats.