Florida Dive Flag laws...

[The Chairman]

Taken from Divers Down Flag Law

Divers-Down Flag Law

327.331 Divers; definitions; divers-down flag required; obstruction to navigation of certain waters; penalty.--

(1) As used in this section: (a) "Diver" means any person who is wholly or partially submerged in the waters of the state and is equipped with a face mask and snorkel or underwater breathing apparatus.

(b) "Underwater breathing apparatus" means any apparatus, whether self-contained or connected to a distant source of air or other gas, whereby a person wholly or partially submerged in water is enabled to obtain or reuse air or any other gas or gases for breathing without returning to the surface of the water.

(c) "Divers-down flag" means a flag that meets the following specifications:

1. The flag must be square or rectangular. If rectangular, the length must not be less than the height, or more than 25 percent longer than the height. The flag must have a wire or other stiffener to hold it fully unfurled and extended in the absence of a wind or breeze.

2. The flag must be red with a white diagonal stripe that begins at the top staff-side of the flag and extends diagonally to the lower opposite corner. The width of the stripe must be 25 percent of the height of the flag.

3. The minimum size for any divers-down flag displayed on a buoy or float towed by the diver is 12 inches by 12 inches. The minimum size for any divers-down flag displayed from a vessel or structure is 20 inches by 24 inches.

4. Any divers-down flag displayed from a vessel must be displayed from the highest point of the vessel or such other location which provides that the visibility of the divers-down flag is not obstructed in any direction.

(2) All divers must prominently display a divers-down flag in the area in which the diving occurs, other than when diving in an area customarily used for swimming only.

(3) No diver or group of divers shall display one or more divers-down flags on a river, inlet, or navigation channel, except in case of emergency, in a manner which shall unreasonably constitute a navigational hazard.

(4) Divers shall make reasonable efforts to stay within 100 feet of the divers-down flag on rivers, inlets, and navigation channels. Any person operating a vessel on a river, inlet, or navigation channel must make a reasonable effort to maintain a distance of at least 100 feet from any divers-down flag.

(5) Divers must make reasonable efforts to stay within 300 feet of the divers-down flag on all waters other than rivers, inlets, and navigation channels. Any person operating a vessel on waters other than a river, inlet, or navigation channel must make a reasonable effort to maintain a distance of at least 300 feet from any divers-down flag.

(6) Any vessel other than a law enforcement or rescue vessel that approaches within 100 feet of a divers-down flag on a river, inlet, or navigation channel, or within 300 feet of a divers-down flag on waters other than a river, inlet, or navigation channel, must proceed no faster than is necessary to maintain headway and steerageway.

(7) The divers-down flag must be lowered once all divers are aboard or ashore. No person may operate any vessel displaying a divers-down flag unless the vessel has one or more divers in the water.

1(8) Any willful violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor of the second degree punishable as provided by s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History.--ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 74-344; s. 64, ch. 74-383; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 1, ch. 86-35; ss. 7, 8, ch. 2000-362.

1Note.--Section 8, ch. 2000-362, amended subsection (8), effective October 1, 2001, to read:

(8) Except as provided in s. 327.33, any violation of this section shall be a noncriminal infraction punishable as provided in s. 327.73.

Note.--Former s. 861.065.

 

[SouthSideScubaSteve]

... 3. The minimum size for any divers-down flag displayed on a buoy or float towed by the diver is 12 inches by 12 inches. ....

Is there a minimum height requirment for the flag above the waters surface &/or float?

Alos, is there any color requirement for the float?

 

[deepstops]

No and no.

 

[fmichaelk]

I was diving under the Blue Heron Bridge with three instructors from Minnesota about three weeks ago. We had gotten separated during the dive and I was carrying the dive flag. I was getting out of the water on the Western bank of Foster Island. Two of the divers were on the sand and the third was snorkeling in 3 ft of water near the swimming area about a city block to the East of me. A Fish and Wildlife cop gave the snorkeler a $50 ticket for not diving with a flag. The cop was a bully about the whole thing. Made me think we would be better off without the flag law; at least without this particular jackass cop.

Michael
Bridge @ Cordova

 

[cherokeediver]

Great info NetDoc.
Thanks.

 

[The Chairman]

Made me think we would be better off without the flag law; at least without this particular jackass cop.

FWC often gets more strident when there is a lot of boat traffic around. Who could blame them? I have also found that many officers reflect the treatment they are receiving from the officer. I broke the flag law in Santa Fe River when I chose to dive from the eye to the spring run from the Ball Room. The FWC officer was incredibly patient with me in pointing out that I had LEFT the protected areas and had indeed entered a navigable waterway. I was horrified that I made that gaffe, and humbly apologised for my mistake. Rather than issue me a citation, I got a warning instead.

FWIW, when I dive in an area where there it is highly likely that I will be seperated from my buddy, I simply make sure we each have our own flags! Venice Beach is one of the areas where I simply won't share my flag, but I will loan you one of the spares that I have brought along with me!

 

[deepstops]

Agreeed, most LEOs are good people just trying to do their job. Being a jerk to them may have undesired consequences

 

[cherokeediver]

Agreeed, most LEOs are good people just trying to do their job. Being a jerk to them may have undesired consequences

Many people don't realize at the end of the day LEO's are just people as well.
Just like the rest of us they have good days and bad days. Obey the regs on the books which by the way are for our protection (and others) and you limit your chances to almost nill of having a bad encounter...just saying...