mikeb21072
Contributor
I am not sure what the law is in FL, but in Maryland you are required to take a safe boating course. My wife and I did it when we took sailing lessons, even though it was geared for power boats.
From both the training courses, I recall all types of info on flags and right of way for boaters, but nothing about looking out for divers. I had enough frustration from power boaters not understanding the rules or respecting other boaters when under sail, but until I started diving, Dive flags were not as high on my radar.
I think a lot of this could be changed with education/training courses for all boaters, and enforcement. I would like to see no wake zones in dive areas, and fine boaters that do not get with the program. Nobody wants scuba police, but this is an issue where people get seriously injured or worse, every year.
From both the training courses, I recall all types of info on flags and right of way for boaters, but nothing about looking out for divers. I had enough frustration from power boaters not understanding the rules or respecting other boaters when under sail, but until I started diving, Dive flags were not as high on my radar.
I think a lot of this could be changed with education/training courses for all boaters, and enforcement. I would like to see no wake zones in dive areas, and fine boaters that do not get with the program. Nobody wants scuba police, but this is an issue where people get seriously injured or worse, every year.