Do I need a dive flag for Morrison Springs?

[Mitchell Teeters]

Thanks.

 

[WeldonDowd]

Nope.

 

[bletso]

Definitely. Small boats with motors enter the spring head to fish. But all you need to do is tie it to the platform or the log above the cavern and you will be within the required radius unless out near the river.

Dale

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

The basin is now closed off and bouyed from boaters. If you stay in the basin, no need for a flag, if you swim into the run beyond the bouys, bring a flag.

 

[Mitchell Teeters]

Since I've got you here, do you know the water temps? Thanks again.

 

[Hetland]

Since I've got you here, do you know the water temps? Thanks again.

68 degrees every day of the year. Technically it can get cooler, but if that happens, the river has hit flood levels, and a degree or two of coolness will be the least of the reasons not to dive Morrison.

FYI: Every Spring I'm aware of in the area is right at 68 degrees. As you move South East, the water temperatures creep up a degree or so every few hundred miles (Ginnie Springs is 72 degrees).

 

[Mitchell Teeters]

Dove my lavacore vest and pants. Not bad art all. Got kinda boring after a while.

Sent from my DROID X2

 

[Native Spear-It]

Florida statute Chapter 327.331 says... YOU ARE REQUIRED TO USE A DIVE FLAG...

The 2011 Florida Statutes

Title XXIV VESSELS Chapter 327 VESSEL SAFETY View Entire Chapter [SIZE=-1]327.331 Divers; definitions; divers-down flag required; obstruction to navigation of certain waters; penalty.—(1) As used in this sectiona) “Diver” means any person who is wholly or partially submerged in the waters of the state and is equipped with a face mask and snorkel or underwater breathing apparatus. (b) “Underwater breathing apparatus” means any apparatus, whether self-contained or connected to a distant source of air or other gas, whereby a person wholly or partially submerged in water is enabled to obtain or reuse air or any other gas or gases for breathing without returning to the surface of the water. (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. (2) All divers must prominently display a divers-down flag in the area in which the diving occurs, other than when diving in an area customarily used for swimming only. (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. (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. History.—ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 74-344; s. 64, ch. 74-383; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 1, ch. 86-35; ss. 7, 8, ch. 2000-362. Note.—Former s. 861.065. [/SIZE]

 

[mike_s]

Florida statute Chapter 327.331 says... YOU ARE REQUIRED TO USE A DIVE FLAG...

	[SIZE=-1](2) All divers must prominently display a divers-down flag in the area in which the diving occurs, other than when diving in an area customarily used for swimming only.[/SIZE]

The basin area at Morrison is now buoyed off as a "swimming area" and they indicate for boats to keep out.

So you would not need a flag based on the above quoted part of the law, if inside the buoy area. it's a swim area.


As Bugman said though, if you go out in the "spring run" you'll need a flag.

 

[Mitchell Teeters]

Second dive got cold, which is unusual for me. Lots of swimmers, a couple divers (who never made it to the water). Saw a turtle, picked up trash. Love the clarity!