Perhaps I should have been more specific; I meant a light source, not necessarily a strobe, but I didn't know strobes were automatically considered a distress signal in some places. I'll remember to look that up when I travel and need a flag.
Clipping off an SMB/Flag
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Kenny13
Contributor
That's good to know. Surely something worth researching before just going out and doing it.
Togalive
Contributor
I'm not sure about Florida, but I wouldn't be surprised if its the same case as it is here in California where 90% of divers think its "the law" that a boat stay back 100ft from their flag (possibly because some OW courses teach this?) when in reality there are no set laws here regarding how far back a boat has to sit from a dive flag since it is not a widely recognized maritime signal unlike the alpha pennant. If FL has a mandate for it, then thats a huge step forward! But as of a month ago during a boating course I was taking (lead by the coast guard), there are no actual laws in the majority of the country for dive flags (not alpha pennants), only assumptions and suggestions.
IIRC the pattern of the strobe is what makes it a distress signal, and no, I can't remember what it is. Nor, I imagine can most boaters, therefore I would be leery using a strobe above water unless I was in distress.
Depending on the type of float you use and your access to lightweight waterproof lights you could modify the light signals boats are required to use, but you still have the issue of being seen with your signal so close to the water line.
Michael
From COLREGS:
(d) A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, when restricted in her ability to maneuver, shall exhibit the lights and shapes prescribed in subparagraphs
(b)(i),(ii) and (iii) of this Rule and shall in addition when an obstruction exists, exhibit:
(i) two all-round red lights or two balls in a vertical line to indicate the side on which the obstruction exists;
(ii) two all-round green lights or two diamonds in a vertical line to indicate the side on which another vessel may pass;
(iii) when at anchor, the lights or shapes prescribed in this paragraph instead of the lights or shapes prescribed in Rule 30.
(e) Whenever the size of a vessel engaged in diving operations makes it impracticable to exhibit all lights and shapes prescribed in paragraph (d) of this Rule, the following shall be exhibited:
(i) Three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white;
(ii) a rigid replica of the code flag “A” not less than 1 meter in height. Measures shall be taken to ensure its all-round visibility.
Depending on the type of float you use and your access to lightweight waterproof lights you could modify the light signals boats are required to use, but you still have the issue of being seen with your signal so close to the water line.
Michael
From COLREGS:
(d) A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, when restricted in her ability to maneuver, shall exhibit the lights and shapes prescribed in subparagraphs
(b)(i),(ii) and (iii) of this Rule and shall in addition when an obstruction exists, exhibit:
(i) two all-round red lights or two balls in a vertical line to indicate the side on which the obstruction exists;
(ii) two all-round green lights or two diamonds in a vertical line to indicate the side on which another vessel may pass;
(iii) when at anchor, the lights or shapes prescribed in this paragraph instead of the lights or shapes prescribed in Rule 30.
(e) Whenever the size of a vessel engaged in diving operations makes it impracticable to exhibit all lights and shapes prescribed in paragraph (d) of this Rule, the following shall be exhibited:
(i) Three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white;
(ii) a rigid replica of the code flag “A” not less than 1 meter in height. Measures shall be taken to ensure its all-round visibility.
Kenny13
Contributor
I have a copy of the regulations for Florida in my hand, printed up a month or so ago from an online source. In particular, it specifies the red & white diver down flag and makes no mention of the alpha flag. As far as distance requirements, it uses the language "reasonable efforts". Divers must make reasonable efforts to stay within 100 feet on rivers, inlets, & navigation channels - boats must make reasonable efforts to stay outside 100 feet. On other bodies of water the distance changes to 300 feet.
It's a recognized maritime signal in California. Not given much recognition, but it is recognized. The law states that boats will "exercise precaution" around the dive flag, that's about it. Nothing about staying an exact distance away.
Barclays Official California Code of Regulations CurrentnessTitle 14. Natural Resources
Division 4. Department of Boating and Waterways
Chapter 1. Department of Boating and Waterways
Article 6. Waterway Marking System
Flag.
(a) A red flag with a white diagonal
running from the upper left hand corner to the lower right hand corner (from
masthead to lower outside corner) and known as the "Divers Flag" shall when
displayed on the water, indicate the presence of a person engaged in diving in
the water in the immediate area.
(b) Recognition of this
flag by regulation will not be construed as conferring any rights or privileges
on its users, and its presence in a water area will not be construed in itself
as restricting the use of the water area so marked.
(c) Operators of vessels will, however, exercise precaution commensurate with conditions indicated.
(d) This flag may
be displayed only when diving is in progress, and its display in a water area
when no diving is in progress is that area will constitute a violation of the
regulation and of section 659 of the Harbors and Navigation Code.
(e) Nothing in this section will require the carriage of a divers
flag for any purpose.
amw5g
Contributor
We leave it free, although it probably changes a few positions throughout the dive (it's a towed flag) for comfort. It's the giant D-shaped kite winder style. We'd really like to find a submersible, salt-water-tolerant retractable device. Much like the dog leashes. I've found one or two mentions of this, but nothing commercially available & under $30.
Rich Keller
Contributor
I usually clip the flag to a snap shackle on my harness so it can be quick released and the handle is just cheep plastic so in the worst case it will breakaway before it can pull me too far. I only use a flag where it is required by law as it seems to attract more boaters then it deters and in 41 years of diving I have never seen a boater ticketed for coming too close to a dive flag.
Togalive
Contributor
It's a recognized maritime signal in California. Not given much recognition, but it is recognized. The law states that boats will "exercise precaution" around the dive flag, that's about it. Nothing about staying an exact distance away.
Barclays Official California Code of Regulations CurrentnessTitle 14. Natural Resources
Division 4. Department of Boating and Waterways
Chapter 1. Department of Boating and Waterways
Article 6. Waterway Marking System
§ 7008. The Divers
Flag.
(a) A red flag with a white diagonal
running from the upper left hand corner to the lower right hand corner (from
masthead to lower outside corner) and known as the "Divers Flag" shall when
displayed on the water, indicate the presence of a person engaged in diving in
the water in the immediate area.
(b) Recognition of this
flag by regulation will not be construed as conferring any rights or privileges
on its users, and its presence in a water area will not be construed in itself
as restricting the use of the water area so marked.
(c) Operators of vessels will, however, exercise precaution commensurate with conditions indicated.
(d) This flag may
be displayed only when diving is in progress, and its display in a water area
when no diving is in progress is that area will constitute a violation of the
regulation and of section 659 of the Harbors and Navigation Code.
(e) Nothing in this section will require the carriage of a divers
flag for any purpose.
Excellent info! I'm going to copy and paste that into my reference library asap!
As far as the flag not being recognized, my original intentions were to say that it is not widely recognized by boaters, rather than by the law. Still, I appreciate the info and insight!
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