Dive Flags

[VTernovski]

I figured, if I ever need to do an ascent, I just shoot my lift bag (4.5' orange sausage), which should give a general common sence for boaters alike not to run it over. With a dive float/flag, I am not comfortable with the feeling they will see it, and the last thing I want is to be attached to this thing while diving.

 

[Groundhog246]

I usually carry the line for my dive flag/float rather that clipping it off. Here in the Great White North (Canada), operators of boats (powered) under 4 meters and PWC's MUST have an boating "Operators Proficiency Card". You answer a 36 question multiple choice test and need 75% to pass. The dive flag IS in the study guides, it may or may not be on the exam. I haven't seen the requirement for a "card" make any real difference in the attitude or operation of your average PWC or small boat. Operators of larger boats have until 2009 before they are required to have the "card". Many of us who have been boating for years have already gone in, paid the fee and challenged (written) the test (no course required, but is advisable for newer inexperienced boaters and even some "experienced" ones) and gotten their card.

The requirement was primarily a response to a rash of PWC related injuries and deaths, but constitutionally it's hard to target just one type of boat. Probably the most beneficial part of the legislation, was banning those under 16 from operating PWC's at all.

 

[Lat. Adjustment]

On the Dual Wrecks you should use a flag because I've seen fishing boats move in over the wrecks. If your doing a night dive a light on the float is nice too but don't use a strobe, I hadn't even submerged yet when the USCG showed up, nice to know they are paying attention! Latitude Adjustment

 

[grouchyturtle]

The water was empty when we went, but I still brought the flag. Vis was horrible that day, just barely over an arms length, so we called the dive anyway.

 

[pt40fathoms]

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

I have closely scurtinized the course required for boat operators in Canada, and the "Diver Down" flag is given a sorry little mention. It is not even a question on the exam! Have they done a better job of it in the USA?

 

[Groundhog246]

I have closely scurtinized the course required for boat operators in Canada, and the "Diver Down" flag is given a sorry little mention. It is not even a question on the exam! Have they done a better job of it in the USA?

NO. The contents of any course taken depend on whose course. the CPS BoatPro is better than most. If you grab a copy of the free boating guide that's available (around here in the summer all the Shell gas stations have them), you can pass the exam using it as a study guide. Everything you need to know is in there.

I liked the idea of one dive club (and of course I can't find the link when I want it). They had signs made up with a picture of a dive flag and what it means and posted them at boat ramps, hoping that if boaters saw the signs, especially over and over, they would recognize their meaning. I think it would be a great project for any club and/or dive shops.

 

[AquaCat]

What about the Alpha flag? I remember reading somewhere that in some places like "boating lanes" BOTH the diver down flag (red digonal white stripe) and the Alpha (blue and white) flag are required.

Can anyone comment on this?

Thanks!

 

[Groundhog246]

What about the Alpha flag? I remember reading somewhere that in some places like "boating lanes" BOTH the diver down flag (red digonal white stripe) and the Alpha (blue and white) flag are required.

I'll comment. In marine definitons, the Alpha flag means "I have a diver(s) in the water and am unable to manuever". And they mean unable to manuever, as there's an airline to the diver. Or they're lifting equipment, salvage, etc. Strictly speaking, when a boat has scuba divers in the water, as long as he's not actively recovering divers, he is free to maneuver. Yes, I know it's "impolite" to leave a mooring when the divers you dropped off aren't back on board yet, but there is no physical reason you can't move the boat. A boat that's doing a drift dive & recovery, isn't even moored, so he is already maneuvering, so the alpha flag certainly does not apply.
OTOH, I see boats all the time running around with the dive flags flying. They obviously have no divers in the water (at least not near the boat doing 10 knots or more) and should not be flying the flag. If boaters get used to seeing a boat traveling around with a dive flag up, sitting at the docks with a dive flag up, WHY would they assume there are diver present when they see it anchored with a dive flag up????