Apparently, California law is a lot vaguer than many of us imagined on the
subject of the use of dive flags.
Here is a quote from California Diving News, followed by another, more
detailed article from Diveflag.com, in the form of a
link.
"There is no California law specifically citing the use of dive flags and
how they should be avoided by boaters. There is Los Angeles County
regulation requiring divers more than 200 yards from shore to use a dive
flag, but nothing with regards to boaters staying clear of that flag. There
are the international "Rules of the Road" requiring stationary vessels with
divers down to display lights in specific configuration or the "Alpha" flag,
but these rules are more to avoid collision vessel to vessel. California
Harbor and Navigation code (section 668c) states that a vessel cannot be
operated in a dangerous fashion but without any specific reference to dive
flags or divers. Laws regarding how boaters should treat the classic "diver
down" flag are vague or nonexistent."
See link below for more info on California law regarding the use of dive
flags, ie: 'chapter and verse' from the California Code:
California Dive Flags
subject of the use of dive flags.
Here is a quote from California Diving News, followed by another, more
detailed article from Diveflag.com, in the form of a
link.
"There is no California law specifically citing the use of dive flags and
how they should be avoided by boaters. There is Los Angeles County
regulation requiring divers more than 200 yards from shore to use a dive
flag, but nothing with regards to boaters staying clear of that flag. There
are the international "Rules of the Road" requiring stationary vessels with
divers down to display lights in specific configuration or the "Alpha" flag,
but these rules are more to avoid collision vessel to vessel. California
Harbor and Navigation code (section 668c) states that a vessel cannot be
operated in a dangerous fashion but without any specific reference to dive
flags or divers. Laws regarding how boaters should treat the classic "diver
down" flag are vague or nonexistent."
See link below for more info on California law regarding the use of dive
flags, ie: 'chapter and verse' from the California Code:
California Dive Flags
