venting about Mass boating laws...

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jchaplain

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As a scuba diver and a boater in Massachusetts , I'm always VERY careful when operating my boat around divers.

But what does Massachusetts law really have to say on the issue? I checked it closer today and was kind of shocked.

For boaters and divers...

If possible, vessel operators not engaged in the diving operation should stay at least 100 feet from a displayed flag. If not possible, vessel operators must reduce speed to no more than 3 miles per hour.


But if you are a whale you get MUCH more protection from motor boats.

From the Mass Environmental website -
http://www.boat-ed.com/ma/handbook/environ.htm

To protect whales in their habitat, the following operation guidelines are recommended:

Avoid excessive speed or course change within 500 YARDS of whales.
Boat operators are prohibited from approaching within 500 yards of Northern Right whales.
Approach with extreme caution within 100 YARDS of any other species of whales.

So, if you are a whale 100 to 500 YARDS of protection.
If you are a diver...no protection really because the law states that a boat only 'should' stay away and can actually go over you at 3 mph...

Go figure...... :shakehead

Something tells me us divers need a lobby :-)

John C.
 
jchaplain:
As a scuba diver and a boater in Massachusetts , I'm always VERY careful when operating my boat around divers.

But what does Massachusetts law really have to say on the issue? I checked it closer today and was kind of shocked.

For boaters and divers...

If possible, vessel operators not engaged in the diving operation should stay at least 100 feet from a displayed flag. If not possible, vessel operators must reduce speed to no more than 3 miles per hour.


But if you are a whale you get MUCH more protection from motor boats.

From the Mass Environmental website -
http://www.boat-ed.com/ma/handbook/environ.htm

To protect whales in their habitat, the following operation guidelines are recommended:

Avoid excessive speed or course change within 500 YARDS of whales.
Boat operators are prohibited from approaching within 500 yards of Northern Right whales.
Approach with extreme caution within 100 YARDS of any other species of whales.

So, if you are a whale 100 to 500 YARDS of protection.
If you are a diver...no protection really because the law states that a boat only 'should' stay away and can actually go over you at 3 mph...

Go figure...... :shakehead

Something tells me us divers need a lobby :-)

John C.
Did you expect more from a state that has "public beaches" owned by the cities and if your not a resident you can't park there? Since I'm a veteran this is a pet peve of mine. Ican put my life on the line to defend these people but I'm not good enough to park at there beach. Thanks for letting me vent.
 
Whales don't have dive flags, and they dive deep and can surface unexpectedly. The wide berth helps to ensure they aren't injured. I don't see the problem, or why the comparison to diver distance is telling in any way.

The beach parking blows though... I'll go along with that.
 
MSilvia:
Whales don't have dive flags, and they dive deep and can surface unexpectedly. The wide berth helps to ensure they aren't injured. I don't see the problem, or why the comparison to diver distance is telling in any way.

The beach parking blows though... I'll go along with that.

Don't get me wrong...I like whales! :-)

But divers can surface unexpectedly as well. A wide berth protects divers too.
There sure is a comparison, being that boaters are made to stay FAR away from whales but can pretty much drive over divers. The telling part is that whales are well protected by Mass law from being run over but the other mammals ( us) in the water are pretty much unprotected. All I'm saying is that the laws should keep boaters further from divers, and I'd even agree with further from whales as well.

I'm just passing away a long winter with this discussion.....nothing I'm really getting worked about...just bored.....sigh....but going to Bonaire April 1st!!!!

John C.
 
I have to say, I am not worried by a boater who approaches cautiously at 3 mph... I am worried by the guy who buzzes my flag at 30 kts. :D
 
I had two boats cruise within 20' of my boat with dive flag displayed last year. I educated them both loud and hard. The 30' sailboat was the best though....they were cruising at a good speed under sail and came within 10' (not exaggerating) from the bow of my boat as I happened to be climbing out from a solo dive. I had a topside person aboard of course but it was just unbelievable. This sailer had a boat full of passengers so hopefully at least one of them will remember the next time. There is really nothing else that can be done unless the CG or HM sees them do it. I really want to shoot a 12 gauge signal flare into their boat to get their attention.....grrr.

--Matt
 
jchaplain:
Something tells me us divers need a lobby :-)

John C.

Shows the power of a lobby and how laws are made, Maybe?
 
I haven't had occasion to use it for this purpose yet, but my digital camera takes long enough video clips to show violations like that, including the boat registration number. I only wonder if I'd send the clip to the USCG, channel 7 news, or offer to sell it to the offending captain. Probably the latter... it would still drive the point home, and if I'm the one who almost got run down, I'd rather the fine go to me.
 
Whales are an endangered species, humans are not, thus the extra protection.

IMHO a problem with the common weekend boater is than he/she probably doesn't even know what a dive flag means are doesn't take the time to look even if he/she does know. Educate these boaters and enforce the law and you'd reduce the number of close calls. Except for those lobster pot owners who buzz you in an apparent attempt to send a message....you won't stop them. Of course, in the long run, you can't legislate common sense into anybody. It would seem to me to be common sense to stay a good distance away from any other boats under any circumstances.

just my two cents...

LobstaMan
 

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