Hawaii Dive Flag Rules.

[DeputyDan]

I will be shore diving in Kona and Oahu in July.

What are the dive flag rules. Do we need to use one while shore diving or not.

Staying in Turtle Bay area on Oahu and Kailua-Kona on the Big Island.

Thanks for any help!

DD

 

[Charlie99]

See http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=74275 for links to the legal stuff and some discussion of what's actually done in Maui.

There are often big differences between the legal requirement, what's really required (or desireable) for safety, and what is the normal practice. Perhaps someone can fill you in as to what is normally done in the specific locations you're headed to.

 

[bluemagoo]

Charlie99 nailed the previous thread discussing this. Having a dive flag is a state law. On Oahu, check the sporting goods dept in any KMart or WalMart for a fairly inexpensive inflatable float+flag. It looks like a small orange whoopee cushion with a dive flag (that's sometimes made upside-down) and some polypro line; costs somewhere around $15 or less -- note that unless you shave the clips on the flagpost a bit, it's a bear to dismount the flagpost for packing afterwards. The Kona KMart/WalMarts' probably have it too.

At Turtle Bay, do not stage any dive from the private lagoon if there's any wave action outside; more so on a falling tide. The outgoing rip currents can be tremendous in either of the two exit channels. I know of guys who've blown nearly 2000psi (in about 10-15ft of water) just fighting to get back in on a "nothing" surf day.

 

[friscuba]

I will be shore diving in Kona and Oahu in July.

What are the dive flag rules. Do we need to use one while shore diving or not.

Staying in Turtle Bay area on Oahu and Kailua-Kona on the Big Island.

Thanks for any help!

DD

Dive flags are required by state law. The reality of it is that the dive shops here MIGHT have a dive flag or two for rent because nobody uses them. I woud definitely use a flag anywhere near a harbor (Honokohau, the Kailua pier, Keauhou Bay) because of boat traffic. Those are likely the three spots you'd get hassled for not having one. I've heard of maybe one instance that a DLNR guy was ticketing or warning divers at Honaunau (Place of Refuge), but the reality of it is that the only people who generally have a flag there are instructors. If you are bad at navigation and need to pop up to see where you are then you'll definitely want a flag, you can listen for boats, but you cant hear paddlers and they don't appreciate divers coming up in front of them.

Steve

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

Use the dive flag, you never know when a scuba cop is going to have a bug up his butt.

 

[DeputyDan]

Thanks for the information.

I know for a fact that we will shore dive on Kona.
Oahu is yet to be determined "One can always hope"

DD

 

[E.Hi.Divers]

Hawaii administratve rules 13-245-9
No person shall engage in underwater swimming or diving using SCUBA or other artificial breathing device in navigable waters of the state without marking his position with the divers flag. No person when so engaged shall knowingly surface more than 50 ft. from such marker, except in cases of emergency.
[e]
The divers flag shall be displayed only when diving or underwater swimming is in progress, and its display in a water area when no diving is in progess in that area shall constitute a violation of these regulations.

 

[chepar]

Yes, as mentioned, towing a flag is the law. Whether one actually complies is a totally different matter - I will confess, I believe I have towed a flag only a few times - probably around the neighborhood of 5 or 6. I find it just to be a PITA. You can't do the fun stuff with it (going into caverns and through lava tubes) and I don't really like to tie it off and retrieve it later.

That being said, when I shore dive it's not in areas with any boat/canoe/other watercraft traffic - so the biggest concern is whether you've got a scuba cop in the area. I've personally never seen one - but that's not to say they're not around. You rarely see other divers using flags, either. The only ones I've regularly seen with a flag are the classes being held.

 

[bluemagoo]

Isn't there some kind of collapsable dive flag being sold? I think it's a shock-corded pole (much like a tent pole) with a flag on it. I guess the idea is to pack it in a sleeve next to your tank or thigh and deploy it only while on the surface. A similar idea would be to cobble-up something like a mailbox flag -- a small flagpole pivoting up or down on your tank.

Unfortunately, it seems that the rules have been amended to set a minimum flag size at 12inx12in: http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dbor/rules/amendment13240_13256.htm This is pretty darn big.

 

[kidspot]

Hawaii administratve rules 13-245-9
No person shall engage in underwater swimming or diving using SCUBA or other artificial breathing device in navigable waters of the state without marking his position with the divers flag. No person when so engaged shall knowingly surface more than 50 ft. from such marker, except in cases of emergency.
[e]
The divers flag shall be displayed only when diving or underwater swimming is in progress, and its display in a water area when no diving is in progess in that area shall constitute a violation of these regulations.

That makes me wonder if I'm allowed to tow a flag while snorkeling... the wording makes it sound like it's not legal ... I try to tow a flag when snorkeling with kids where boats might come...

Tim