Lake Pleasant Dive Flag Issue

[ScubaDubaDo]

It just sounds like perhaps the Law Enforcement agencies aren't being pressured enough, or by enough numbers, to really draw their attention to the issue. If they get a few complaints here and there from divers, they are felt like a metophoric mosquito, and they simply swat the problem away, but if they are swarmed by the dive commumity enmasse, then they have to give it the attention it needs, it's easy to swat 1 or 2 mosquitos, but it's dang near impossible to swat away an entire swarm of them. In closing, if the dive community out there, that includes the individual diver, as well as dive shops and dive charters actively using the lake, wants better enforcement of the dive flag rules then lobby the Law Enforcement agency in massive numbers to force them to look at the problem and take action to correct it. It's in their best interest to do so, everyone's safety is at the heart of the issue.

This brings up a good point, working together as a diving community would have much more of an impact, or at least a much better chance at a response than random individuals. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get the dive community together, including the local dive shops?

 

[ScubaSteve2000]

Unfortunately, when it comes to enforcing the dive flag law there's no there, there. It isn't a law, it's a suggestion. In fact, that's pretty much how the law reads. There is a "suggested" distance that boaters should stay away from a dive buoy. There is no penalty. There is nothing to write a ticket against unless the boater is violating some other "real" law while he's violating our buoys...and is caught in the act. BTW, I wish we wouldn't bag on the LEOs. It's a "So many drunks so little time" thing.

As has been said here before, most boaters have no idea what a dive flag is or what it means. There is no required boater's safety course or state/county issued license. We've talked about having signs made up to educate boaters and then get permission to post them in areas that are popular dive spots.

Filing a bunch of complaints is a slippery slope that may lead to non-divers selecting "designated dive zones" to keep us safe. Then guess who will be paying fines. Not the solution the diving community wants I can assure you. We could lobby to get some teeth put into the current statute. A $500.00 fine for each offense would get people's attention. And LOEs would have something that they can work with.

Really, the best answer is to keep tabs on the Lake Pleasant Conditions thread and dive in areas that have less traffic. We always mention the boat traffic where we dove. Right now DT is a total zoo. The Spillway is about the same. Beismeyer Point is better because it's a little harder to get to. Last weekend Vista Point (east side of the lake) was diver central. I'll bet there were 20+ divers between Vista Point and just before the boat ramp near Spring Canyon Landing. The way the point is situated, the boats don't get very close. There aren't any good spots to put it a jet ski or anything bigger than a row boat.

Timing is everything this time of the year. It's a good idea to get there at 7:00am or earlier and be gone by noon. Night dives and week day dives are good for little or no boat traffic too. The falling lake level and weather will eventually take care of the boater problem. I was certified back in November of last year and I didn't see any boat traffic to speak of until probably April. I'll bet in about 3 months this won't be a problem.

 

[ScubaDubaDo]

When I used to dive in Michigan, one of the things we used to do was have our dive flag/float attached to a reel and tow it along while we dove. This way, the flag was always above us, helping to ensure our safety a bit better. From what I have seen since living in AZ is that divers tend to attach an anchor to the flag/float and keep it in one spot, even though they dive farther away from the flag. The reel option may help a bit to at least identify where the diver is. It, of course, will do nothing to educate boaters that have no clue as to what a dive flag is...

 

[stnichols]

I have had people ask why I don't tow my flag with me. I personally don't want to give the jetskiers a moving target. Too many times they use the flag as a pylon to zoom around. I've also had my flag stolen once.

I treat diving in the lake as an overhead enviroment. I try to only surface when I can stand up in the water.

I've spoken to some of PADI's upper management and the person I spoke to was checking out to see if their lobbying group was working on anything to change Az law in these reguards. The law only states that we must fly the flag, anything else is just fluff.

What the heck, its river season now anyways

Have a great day and enjoy life

Stephen

 

[AZdiver1279]

There is clearly a lack of education among boaters and a lack of caring by the rangers/law enforcement. It is vastly different than in Michigan where most boaters were aware of maritime laws and mostly followed them. Also, law enforcement there strictly enforced the rules so boaters knew they would not get away with anything. It appears the only thing that will truly make a difference is the only thing that ever seems to change things in our society...a really big, nasty law suit that costs the county, state, and tax payers millions...So unfortunate.

I AGREE! The only other thing that would have a positive impact for divers is really big fines for boaters who violate safty regs and jeopardize the lives others who just want to enjoy the lake.:scubadive:

Has anyone ever tried to rally the park system for our own corner of the lake or a park? It's hard to believe that with all of the divers and all of the enthusiasum here for diving that we couldn't as a multi agency group get our own space.....RALLY THE TROOPS! It's always sad that they wait for a tradgedy and 'then' they want to create a memorial park.

 

[AZdiver1279]

This brings up a good point, working together as a diving community would have much more of an impact, or at least a much better chance at a response than random individuals. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get the dive community together, including the local dive shops?

Hi, I'm new to the forum, excuse me for jumping into the conversation.

I have been thinking that we could send out flyers to all scuba shops, enfoucement agencies, response agencies, etc.

When I took my OW two years ago at GCC I know that law enforcement uses GCC, we could get them on board perhaps. I wouldn't mind donating time and effort as well as some corporate funds, There's no reason why we can create some kind of dive park similiar to Casino out at Catalina......maybe not as grand but atleast a place where divers can go to meet and dive with othe divers in a better measure of saftey that exists now.

Gotta go now, someone was bringing a 'soap box over here'

 

[AZdiver1279]

I know. We could do a million Our as many as we can get) diver swim accross LP, lots of flags and bouey, build it to the media......they're always looking for a good story.....did you see them reporting on the puddle in the parking lot the other day? I really don't think it would take much to get the community involved and behind us, it just takes organization, you have to have a plan,

 

[ScubaDubaDo]

The problem is that most people sit back and say 'let someone else do it' or they just don't want to get involved...ahhhhh...apathy...gotta love it

 

[Calle Roo]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/dive-flag-awareness/271978-arizona-dive-flag-laws.html#post4195090

 

[scubajcf]

Seems applicable to this discussion ....

Florida Diver Loses Both Legs to Speedboat: While surfacing from a dive in the St. Lucie Inlet on January 9, Rob Murphy, 26, was struck by a passing boat, which severed both his legs. The boat was operated by Roger Nicosia, ironically an emergency room physician. Murphy, who lost nearly half his blood, was spared from death because his dive buddies acted quickly and applied a tourniquet before the helicopter ride to the hospital. Even though doctors couldn't save his legs, Roberts told the Treasure Coast News he is "trying to make a sad situation into a positive." Now he is doing physical therapy and intends to dive again one day. On January 31, volunteers at boat ramps around Florida talked to boaters and anglers about dive flag safety laws, and also carried a petition to create an official state "Dive Flag Awareness Day" that they intend to present to the governor.