Ridiculous Dive Flag at Commercial Dive Operation!

[Chad Carney]

Came in late yesterday at sundown, with my running lights on the last 45 minutes. John's Pass is pretty constricted these days with construction barges serving as bumpers. Took this first photo just outside JP Bridge.

The second photo is from the inside (the wide side) after I passed through. Pretty strong tide running out, and I stepped up my idle a little as the current started steering my boat. I'm beside the unlighted pontoon boat before I see it and a guy yells "Slow down!" He scared the crap out of me... but I really couldn't navigate any slower anyway.

Third photo shows the tiny illegal dive flag (about the size of his hard hat) and alpha flag, on the inside gunwale, behind the pilings, no lights, horn or radio warning.

I wanted a better photo but didn't want to pass by again to get it. Still this one makes the point... don't expect caution from anyone if you don't put up a proper display.

Justice would be seeing these Bozos getting a fine from the FWC next week!

Chad

 

[The Chairman]

Dude... too stinking funny and horrific! What were they thinking? It took me a LONG time to find the flag since it doesn't even have a stiffener in it!

 

[Scott L]

Those idiots may foul some guy's props...

 

[Tom Smedley]

Summary of Florida Dive Flag Laws:

The following is from Chapter 27 of the 2003 Florida Statutes:
327.331 Divers; definitions; divers-down flag required; obstruction to navigation of certain waters; penalty.--

[snip]
(c) "Divers-down flag" means a flag that meets the following specifications:

1. The flag must be square or rectangular. If rectangular, the length must not be less than the height, or more than 25 percent longer than the height. The flag must have a wire or other stiffener to hold it fully unfurled and extended in the absence of a wind or breeze.

2. The flag must be red with a white diagonal stripe that begins at the top staff-side of the flag and extends diagonally to the lower opposite corner. The width of the stripe must be 25 percent of the height of the flag.

3. The minimum size for any divers-down flag displayed on a buoy or float towed by the diver is 12 inches by 12 inches. The minimum size for any divers-down flag displayed from a vessel or structure is 20 inches by 24 inches.

4. Any divers-down flag displayed from a vessel must be displayed from the highest point of the vessel or such other location which provides that the visibility of the divers-down flag is not obstructed in any direction.
[end snip]

[another snip]
(3) No diver or group of divers shall display one or more divers-down flags on a river, inlet, or navigation channel, except in case of emergency, in a manner which shall unreasonably constitute a navigational hazard.
[end snip]

 

[belairbrian]

Tommy
I dive in the gulf. What is the stay clear distance for Florida? I've had some close calls with jet skis in the Chocatahatchee (sp?) Bay. Is it the standard 100 feet or is it more?

 

[deepstops]

(4) Divers shall make reasonable efforts to stay within 100 feet of the divers-down flag on rivers, inlets, and navigation channels. Any person operating a vessel on a river, inlet, or navigation channel must make a reasonable effort to maintain a distance of at least 100 feet from any divers-down flag.

(5) Divers must make reasonable efforts to stay within 300 feet of the divers-down flag on all waters other than rivers, inlets, and navigation channels. Any person operating a vessel on waters other than a river, inlet, or navigation channel must make a reasonable effort to maintain a distance of at least 300 feet from any divers-down flag.

(6) Any vessel other than a law enforcement or rescue vessel that approaches within 100 feet of a divers-down flag on a river, inlet, or navigation channel, or within 300 feet of a divers-down flag on waters other than a river, inlet, or navigation channel, must proceed no faster than is necessary to maintain headway and steerageway.

(7) The divers-down flag must be lowered once all divers are aboard or ashore. No person may operate any vessel displaying a divers-down flag unless the vessel has one or more divers in the water.

(8) Except as provided in s. 327.33, any violation of this section shall be a noncriminal infraction punishable as provided in s. 327.73.

 

[Huck BB62]

Looks like OSHA would even like to know about these asshats.

 

[hansonian]

those guys must have bought the smallest flag they could find. their divers need to step up and tell management to get them something people will see. i have a bigger flag than that hanging up in my garage

 

[njedrn]

hate to say it... but it's job security for darwin...

 

[Wil]

Come across the same sort of this in our area from commercial diving operations. It's always a good idea to steer weel clear once you realize what the commercial tug, barge, pier divers are up to. Sadly, most don't know the dive flag requirements for their area and they vary greatly.
For example;
Fla requires diver down flags be 20x24 inches and mandates boaters to remain 100ft away if in inlet, channels, etc, otherwise the stand-off distance is 300ft.
Texas requires a minimum of 50ft stand-off and flags be 15x15 inches. (I always thought things were always bigger in Texas)
Virginia requires 75ft (25 yards) and flags no less than 12x12.

In reality, it's not the commercial divers that are the problem, it's the recreatinal boaters. Those who don't know the rules of the road, or even what a dive flag (Red & White or Alpha) means. Fly the largest flag you can, both red&white and Alpha, then use your horn when the boaters get too close.

Safe Diving,
Wil