scubadivingsteve
Registered
So based only on the picture and no assumption you are sure the boat drove to the flag. There is no way the flag was towed by the divers toward the boat. Picture only no accompanying statement from the photographer.
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So based only on the picture and no assumption you are sure the boat drove to the flag. There is no way the flag was towed by the divers toward the boat. Picture only no accompanying statement from the photographer.
This is where you and I disagree. The diver was NOT obeying the law. That flag is small - and the law clearly states a min size for a reason.
There are a lot of assumptions here - which is why I dont want to take part in the accusations or blame part of the conversation. If we stick to JUST THE ABSOLUTE proveable facts, based on the picture - they were both at fault and breaking the law. The boat encroached on the divers mark - and - the divers mark was to small.
So, without assuming anything - they both broke the law.
I bow to the fact that in strict interpretation of law they are both at fault, that is a fact but if that is the argument used in a court of law after a person in the water has been hit by a boat when a float and flag or buoy is present (correct size or not) the boat operator will not prevail and all involved will have to live with the result. I am not arguing the "LAW" I suggest we all do the right thing to protect others and in this case the boater is just wrong, on purpose or not he presents a clear danger.
Correct me if I am wrong but is it not still the responsibility of the boater to maintain the appropriate distance from the flag no matter what?
On another note, I have to say, I rarely venture here to Scuba board anymore and I realize I'm taking a big chance posting. The reason I don't check out the boards is the attitudes I see. Last I understood, we're all divers or we wouldn't be hanging out here. So that common bond should at least command some mutual respect. But all too often, simple threads like this one brings out the beast in the person behind the keyboard and they type like they don't give the least bit of respect to others. It doesn't seem to matter what the subject is. I could post a picture of a certain bc setup, or dive flag, or whatever, and it's just a matter of time before the attacks start. Makes me wonder why we all even bother to read or try to communicate this way.
And to the posters that think the boater was driving correctly you
should Google "boat propeller injuries" and look at the images. Just
don't do it on a full stomach or before bedtime. The images can be
quite disturbing. Props are deadly. People have lost limbs, had their
guts ripped out, and had their heads chopped in half. Perhaps then
you'll understand why boaters need to maintain some distance. There's
plenty of lake for everyone to share.