Obnoxious boaters suck!

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You need a bigger flag. If I can't see the flag from the perspective of the photographer, which looks to be about 125', then the boater can't see it ether. always run a 2'x3' flag and it won't be missed. I usually run a 3'x5' on a stanchion from my boat. Although the boater is now close enough to see it, he probably cut his engine or put it in neutral for safety sake, can't see that the boat is moving. There are a number of floating drink coolers that are yellow or orange too. A bigger flag would remove the ambiguity.
 
I didn't blow up the picture originally but now that I have you might not want to push the issue. Oklahoma state statute reads flags must be a minimum of 24" x 21". If the flag is the one that came with the float it is only 21" x 16". I mention this because you could get a ticket for not displaying a proper dive flag and it costs the same as the one for the boater not obeying it. I am not on the boaters side, I just don't want a diver possibly getting a citation for trying to do the right thing.

Well, I learned something new tonight! With over 70 dives in the past year (and I mean year....not only since Jan 2013) at Murray, this is the same setup that I have always used. And I was actually on site twice when lake patrol arrived to warn boaters to stay the required distance away from this flag. So it does still work.

That said, I'll be looking for a bigger flag.

---------- Post added July 8th, 2013 at 08:43 PM ----------

And, the required size is 24" x 20".....I'm sure the extra 1" was a typo. :)

---------- Post added July 8th, 2013 at 08:47 PM ----------

And adding to the post once more, one of my team mates has this setup and the flag is larger than the required size.......I think we will be using his from now on at Murray.

Dive Flag Float and Cover with Pole Assembly Kit discounts on sale Trident
 
That boat is not under power......what's the fuss about?
 
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FYI Here are the statutes, and yes the 21" was a typo.

§63-4201.

In addition to the terms defined by the Oklahoma Vessel and Motor
Registration Act, Section 4002 et seq. of this title, for the purposes
of the Oklahoma Boating Safety Regulation Act, Section 4201 et seq. of
this title:

1. "Anchorage area" means a place specifically indicated by the
authority in charge of a body of water for anchoring or mooring a
vessel;

2. "Buoy" means an anchored marker for marking a position on the
water, or a hazard, shoal or mooring, or any other prohibitive
activity area;

3. "Capacity plate" means a sign posted in view of the operator's
station on a vessel which designates the maximum weight capacity and
horsepower restrictions of a vessel for safe operation;

4. "Class A vessel" means a vessel which is less than sixteen (16)
feet in length;

5. "Class 1 vessel" means a vessel which is sixteen (16) feet or
longer and less than twenty-six (26) feet in length;

6. "Class 2 vessel" means a vessel which is twenty-six (26) feet or
longer and less than forty (40) feet in length;

7. "Class 3 vessel" means a vessel which is forty (40) feet or longer
in length;

8. "Diver's flag" means a red flag not less than twenty (20) inches by
twenty-four (24) inches with a four-inch white stripe running from one
upper corner to a diagonal lower corner, and such flag is used to
indicate a submerged diver;

9. "Emergency vessel" means any law enforcement vessel which is
legally authorized to operate in the emergency mode;

10. "Law enforcement vessel" means any vessel legally authorized to
operate under the color of law;

11. "Manipulate" means to guide, steer or otherwise control;

12. "Marine sewage" means any substance, treated or untreated, that
contains any of the waste products of humans or animals or foodstuffs;

13. "Marine toilet" means any latrine, head, lavatory or toilet
intended to receive marine sewage and which is located on or in any
vessel;

14. "Operator" means the person who operates, has actual physical
control, or has charge of the navigation or use of a vessel;

15. "Parasail" means any device which, when airborne, is used or
capable of being used for lifting or suspending a person who is being
or will be towed by a vessel;

16. "Personal flotation device" means only a United States Coast Guard
approved flotation device;

17. "Personal watercraft" means a vessel which uses an inboard motor
powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power and
which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing or
kneeling on the vessel, rather than the conventional manner of sitting
or standing inside the vessel, or a vessel which is similar in
appearance and operation to a personal watercraft but which is powered
by an outboard or propeller driven motor, or a vessel less than
sixteen (16) feet in length which travels across the water above or on
a cushion of air provided by engines, propellers or other means of
propulsion;

18. "Reportable boating accident" means an accident, collision or
other casualty involving a vessel which results in loss of life,
injury sufficient to require first aid or medical attention or actual
physical damage to property in excess of Five Hundred Dollars
($500.00);

19. "Sanctioned event" means any organized event on the waters of this
state, including but not limited to regattas, motorboat or other boat
races, marine parades, tournaments and exhibitions, which is approved
and permitted by an authorizing agency;

20. "Under way" means the movement of a vessel whether by mechanical
or nonmechanical means which is other than incidental to the force of
wind, waves or current; and

21. "Wake" means the track of waves left by a vessel or other object
moving through the water, and such waves are greater than the natural
waves in the immediate area of the vessel, or are cresting and showing
white water, or may cause injury or damage to any person or property.

§63-4211.

A. Any person diving or submerging in a body of water with the aid of
any mechanical diving or breathing device or suit shall place a buoy
with a flag in the water at or near the point of submergence or fly a
flag from a vessel indicating divers are present, in the following
manner:

1. Either the nationally recognized diver's flag or Alpha flag may be
flown;

2. When flown from a vessel, at least one flag shall be flown not less
than one (1) meter above the highest point of the vessel and shall be
visible from a three-hundred-sixty-degree circle;

3. The buoy, flag or flags shall be in place only while actual diving
operations are in progress;

4. No diving buoys may be closer than one hundred (100) yards to any
functional boat ramp; and

5. The flag or flags shall be in good condition and legible, and the
flag shall be in the extended position so as to be visible to any
other vessel.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a vessel within one
hundred fifty (150) feet of a diving buoy except while engaged in the
rescue of a person in such area.
 
Ok Steve, according to the lengthy regs that you posted this boat doesn't seem to be in violation of anything.
 
Ok Steve, according to the lengthy regs that you posted this boat doesn't seem to be in violation of anything.
scubadivingsteve:
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a vessel within one
hundred fifty (150) feet of a diving buoy except while engaged in the
rescue of a person in such area.

Looks like a pretty clear cut violation of §63-4211.5b from the picture. Are you suggesting that because the motor might not have been running that it is an "out" for the captain?
 
Looks like a pretty clear cut violation of §63-4211.5b from the picture. Are you suggesting that because the motor might not have been running that it is an "out" for the captain?

I'm suggesting that the boater did not SEE the flag until he was right up on it. The flag is way too small. So he did the smart thing, cut the engine and wait for the divers to surface. I got that from the photograph. The boater has an out in this case... and yes I'm a diver and dive solo in most cases, but I have a big honkin float and flag, and a bigger honkin flag on my boat. If I'm going to move away from the boat, I tow the float with me with a break away bungee. I have NEVER had anyone come close to me.... YET.
 
I'm suggesting that the boater did not SEE the flag until he was right up on it. The flag is way too small. So he did the smart thing, cut the engine and wait for the divers to surface. I got that from the photograph. The boater has an out in this case... and yes I'm a diver and dive solo in most cases, but I have a big honkin float and flag, and a bigger honkin flag on my boat. If I'm going to move away from the boat, I tow the float with me with a break away bungee. I have NEVER had anyone come close to me.... YET.

If he did not see the flag until he was "right up on it" then he really needs his glasses checked OR needs to pay better attention when operating anything with an engine. Granted he may not have seen the flag 150' away, I will give you that. But he is 30' away and still headed right for the flag. He has aimed there. Given your scenario, all the boater would have had to do was turn the wheel while cutting the engines (or at least a couple seconds under power and then cut the engines) and there would have been enough momentum to at least aim slightly away from the flag. This guy is aiming for it.

I am not excusing the incorrect flag size, but there is nothing that this guy can say that would allow him to wash any of the blame away. I would personally hope he gets charged to the max of whatever the fine is.....not that that is usually any sort of deterrent.
 
Ok Steve, according to the lengthy regs that you posted this boat doesn't seem to be in violation of anything.
If you're suggesting that this boat wasn't under power, even a slow trawl, how do you know this? Were you on that boat? I've been diving that lake lots of times and I've never seen any boat anchored up that close to shore. What I do see though, are boats doing a slow trawl close to shore, the same way this guy appears to be doing. The rangers at Lake Murray don't care if you're moving! I've been on Johnny Johnson's boat, tied up to the metal tower, and a boater came and dropped anchor right at about the 150' limit. Along comes a ranger in his boat, blue light flashing, and goes right up to the anchored boat and writes the guy up. As for the flag not being the exact size...the rangers can choose to enforce whatever rules they choose to enforce. I have that exact same float/flag and have been in the water, putting my fins on and have had rangers at different times/days come up and have a conversation with me. If they didn't like my setup....they could've said something at these times. Only thing they say..."have a good dive". If you guys commenting about this have never been to this lake diving....probably better not to say anything about their rules and enforcement.
 
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