New to Shore Diving, need dive flags in Curaçao?

[Johnmpcny]

Doing both some boat dives and shore dives. First time shore diving there. For a group of 6 divers do we need dive flags with us on most Curacao self guided shore dives? I know when I dive here we use a flag but not sure what is done there.

Can you rent them with tanks or are expected to bring them.


Thanks

John Henry

 

[Dirty-Dog]

The rules require dive flags, but I will say I never saw anybody towing them. The dive shops we used (Ocean Encounters [never again] and The Dive Bus [Woot!]) have them available.

 

[tarponchik]

I actually did see some folks with flags diving at Kalki but they were training. Using a flag there does not make sense to me cause when I am underwater I am too deep for small local boats to hurt me, and when in shallow water I am on the surface so they see me as good as they can see a flag. Diving there with a flag will sort of defeat the purpose of going to Curacao. I have enough worries on a dive about my wife and my camera settings; you add one more thing to worry about, like a dive flag, and it already sounds more like work than vacation.

 

[CuracaoJ]

I've been diving on Curacao for 7 years now, and have never used a dive flag. Should you? Of course you should, you should use one anywhere and anytime you dive where there is the possibility of boat traffic.

I take it back, I used one once during my rescue class because it was required.

The reality is much like tarponchik said. When shore diving in Curacao you pretty much are too deep where the boats are, and when it gets shallow you are up and you are the dive flag.

Safe diving,
Jeff

 

[Diver OnLu]

It must have been in fall of 2009, when some divers reported that they had been addressed by the Coast Guard telling them that on Curacao it was not allowed to shore dive without a permanent dive flag on top of you. When we heard about that at OEW, we contacted the authorities to find out that yes, there is a law on Curacao saying so! Since then we have been recommending the use of dive flags to all our customers (we have some available at Playa Kalki), and use them ourselves on training dives and guided tours outside the marked swimming area.

If you dive on your own, it is totally your responsibility what you choose to do, of course.

Personally, on private dives I always carried an inflatable SMB, so in case I would hear boat sounds towards the end of my dive I could make myself seen before surfacing. The only practical problem you might not solve like that are jetski-riders who occasionally appear at various beaches even out in the far West on weekends and public holidays (there are many on Curacao ) - those you don't hear from under water until they are right on top of you, and they move extremely fast. But those might even use a flag as a turning point, anyway. So just be very careful when you notice they are around. No issues with sailboats or windsurfers, though; they don't use the same beaches as the divers.

Again, if you want to stick to the law you have to tow a flag or buoy on the surface throughout the dive. It is your responsibility to do so, or not.

Greetings from Germany
Andreas

 

[chauncy19]

Interesting I didn't see any in use on my recent (november) stay at all west. no mention and no offer. Not sure I would go back to Curacao if had to use them, I'd just continue on to Bonaire.
will have to research and ponder this before I commit to returning to Curacao next year.

 

[CuracaoJ]

Bob,

I dive here multiple times per week and have for years. The only time I've ever seen them in use is instructors teaching classes. I don't think you have to worry about "having" to use them.

Jeff

 

[chauncy19]

Jeff,
tanks for responding. As I said I didn't see anyone using them this past November. its a new issue for me and i am not sure if i should be concerned or if it another red herring. I am guessing another red herring but...
again thanks jeff for your reassurance.

 

[Kukuisa]

The Coast Guard should take a good look at themselve. It was their action with their boat that caused a serious accident a few years ago. And it didn't involve a scuba diver.

That said, I' ve been diving here for a lot of years and never used a flag. The only place where divers and sailboats come close together might be Janthiel Bay and the dive operator on that spot uses a flag every time.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

Jeff,
tanks for responding. As I said I didn't see anyone using them this past November. its a new issue for me and i am not sure if i should be concerned or if it another red herring. I am guessing another red herring but...
again thanks jeff for your reassurance.

The OE shop at Breezes told us we had to take one. We did. We swam out to the bouy that marks the boat channel, dropped down onto the reef and then tied off the marker. On our return, we picked up the marker, came back to the dock and turned it in. A minor hassle at most.