Is it Illeagal to dive with out a flag in MA?

[DarkFrog]

There's a similar law in nh that got some discussion over in this thread. Troublesome was the idea of the bottom of the dive flag 3' above the surface of the water.

 

[Soggy]

any one ever get nabed for not having one ?

I had an EPO 'mention' it to me that we surfaced a bit far from our flag, but he didn't really give me a hard time about it. He even helped me carry my gear up to the car to measure our lobsters.

Basically, get in and get out of the water with a flag and you're fine. What you do in between is somewhat up to you. Personally, I anchor it because I think it's often more dangerous to have it than not.

 

[Spectre]

$50

I tried to explain to the dude that we surfaced well within 100 feet of the flag, actually within 5 feet if he didn't move it from the rocks where we forgot it.

 

[swampy]

I fly one when diving from my boat, but after getting buzzed and seeing lobstermen disregarding the flag totally, i will pay the fine. i dont tow anything especially something to get tangled in.

 

[matt_unique]

Funny It came up while diving last night @ Folley. I am a DM and I confess I was Puzzled. Frankly- what I do on my own time is my business. Typical MA law. I only bring the flag is I am Spearfishing and need a float or w/ a class- or clearly in a haz conditions or traffic....

Vin

Good question to remind us of the law. If our nav skills are good we could leave the flag in the car at some sites (ha ha ha).

--Matt

 

[Tall Tails]

I boat dive and I fly a 3' x 5' flag, 15 feet above the roof of the boat on the outriggers. I still get sailboats and some powerboats within 20 feet. I even had a boat rolling lures within 20 feet of the boat and the name of the vessel started with "Diver" (must have bought from a diver and not changed the name). I dsometimes also drop a flag between boat and structure, but I doubt it heelps. I do not tow unless I shore dive, then I too anchor it asap. My luck would tangle me in it.

I think boaters could use a lesson on the laws of nearing the flag or even knowing what it means. I know NH has a campaign on this, I saw it at a club meeting last year where Mark Stanton spoke. We could use same in MA.

Jon

 

[ScubaNorth]

There is a Gloucester ordinance that requires a Divers Flag of Dimensions not less than 13 inches by 17 inches, Divers must surface within 25 feet of the flag and must maintain a distance of 25' from any fishing or lobster bouys. I take the 25' bouy rule to mean dive in Rockport or on the South Shore. How can you be 25' from a lobster bouy and still be in Gloucester?

 

[ScubaNorth]

I for one hate towing the flag around but I always do. The number of boats that ignore the flag is amazing, and the amount of times I tangle my fin straps even more amazing. They are a danger but so is the alternative. I have been trying a new tow rope for my flag. I am using a self retracting dog leash. They seem to only come in 26' lengths so not for any real depth but it seems to work great, less tangles. With the mad boat jockies out there I may try experimenting with a sheer clip of some sort. Then if they hit the flag I won't lose an arm or fingers.

 

[Spectre]

I have been trying a new tow rope for my flag. I am using a self retracting dog leash.

I really like using a finger spool. It's easy to manage, and it gives me practice with spools while i'm at it.

 

[rcohn]

A safety note for RI divers, less of an issue in Mass and NH. If you don't plan on towing your flag, watch out for freedivers in the area. They often hunt by hiding in the rocks waiting to ambush fish. If you are towing your flag they will see you are nearby and be watching for you. If not, you may run into a speargun aimed in your direction. This isn't hypothetical, local freedivers have reported seeing flagless scuba divers appear in front of them, the scuba diver probably never even saw the freediver. Most spear fishermen (and women) are rather careful and will probably wait to identify the fish before firing, but I'd rather not find myself on the pointy end of a gun.

Also note that most guns have a range of around 15 feet, some might be 20 ft. RI vis is typically 8 to 10 ft, you can do the math....

Ralph