It's the LAW

[texdiveguy]

FYI..............

http://www.boat-ed.com/tx/handbook/flags.htm

 

[Desa]

FYI..............

http://www.boat-ed.com/tx/handbook/flags.htm

Now if they can just get the "non-diving" boaters to read, recognize and heed the flag.

 

[redacted]

That's not what the TX statutes said when I read it a couple months ago. COE requires divers to display flag. But TX does not. So flag is only required on COE managed inland waters.

 

[skeet]

Hard for them to see at 50 mph and the foam off a beer flying into their eyes.

 

[TwoBitTxn]

If TPWD says its the law. I would think it is. Especially since they are the ones enforcing it.

I was warned while diving Canyon Lake that it was being heavily enforced due to issues on both sides.

TwoBit

 

[texdiveguy]

It is the law as I posted in the state of Texas.

 

[skeet]

I have seen it enforced at P K Lake this past summer when sea doo's came to close to the bouy line and dive flags at Scuba Point.

 

[tx.lakerats]

Being a boater myself I am fully aware of the law - but the way I've seen some boat operators on these local lakes I'm surprised they can find their trailer a the end of the weekend...
I can only speak for myself when I say I do follow that law as I know what's below that flag!

 

[redacted]

If TPWD says its the law. I would think it is. Especially since they are the ones enforcing it.

I was warned while diving Canyon Lake that it was being heavily enforced due to issues on both sides.

TwoBit

Applicable TX code. Have you found something I have not? Or are you just going with hearsay?

§ 31.099. CIRCULAR COURSE AROUND FISHERMAN OR
SWIMMER. (a) No person may operate a motorboat in a circular
course around any other boat any occupant of which is engaged in
fishing or around any person swimming.
(b) No swimmer or diver may come within 200 yards of a
sight-seeing or excursion boat except for maintenance purposes or
unless within an enclosed area.


§ 31.1021. OPERATING VESSELS IN SCUBA DIVING OR
SNORKELING AREAS. (a) No person may operate a vessel within 50
feet of a buoy or of another vessel displaying a "diver down" flag
that marks an area in which a person is scuba diving or snorkeling.
(b) No person may operate a vessel at a speed greater than
the minimum speed necessary to maintain steerageway and headway
while the vessel is within 150 feet of a buoy or a vessel displaying
a "diver down" flag that marks an area in which a person is scuba
diving or snorkeling.
(c) To be entitled to the protections of this section, a
scuba diver or snorkeler must prominently display a "diver down"
flag from a buoy or vessel.
(d) This section does not apply:
(1) to a person who is operating a patrol or rescue
craft; or
(2) in an emergency.
(e) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply:
(1) to a person who is already operating a vessel in an
area when another person displays a "diver down" flag within 150
feet of that vessel;
(2) to a person who is operating a vessel in a waterway
that is less than 300 feet wide; or
(3) to a person who has permission to enter the area
from the person who placed the buoy or the person who is operating
the vessel displaying the "diver down" flag.
(f) In this section, "'diver down' flag" means a square or
rectangular red flag, at least 15 inches by 15 inches, that has a
diagonal white stripe.

 

[redacted]

It is the law as I posted in the state of Texas.

A .com site may not be a reliable source. It is not a TX gov site. Try this:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/index.htm