what do if you see a diving flag?

[boatradioman]

if you see a diver flag up what do you do?

 

[gcboat]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

Here's your answer: http://www.myfwc.com/boating/safety/diving_flag.htm

 

[dramaminedragon]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

I am a diver in So.Cal. I stay 300' away from any boat or float displaying a flag.

Larry
ps. I expect the same in return, and get pissed if it doesn"t happen.(especially during lobster season.)

 

[subcrx]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

Same here, I dive all around SoCal, It's amazing how many people ignore the flag. Mostly Seadoo morons. Also a drive could split a diver in two and you wouldn't even know you hit anyone

 

[ztim]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

I did not realize one must try to stay at least 300ft from a flag. That's a whole football field. I could see getting mad at a person who does not stay a decent distance, but 300ft? That is too far.

 

[12vMan]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

I did not realize one must try to stay at least 300ft from a flag. That's a whole football field. I could see getting mad at a person who does not stay a decent distance, but 300ft? That is too far.

You've got to think "why are the flags are there?" Divers aren't always on the bottom, they could be snorkeling at or near the surface, and with wind, currents, and swimming they could easily end up a couple hundred feet away from the flag. 300' can usually allow a margin of error also.

 

[sunaj]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

If you think 300' is too much of a safety margin for a diver just remember, some divers are spearfishing and carry powerheads, if I came up and a boat was zooming around my flag when he had a whole ocean to roam, I might be tempted to well, you know

 

[vroom4]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

If you think 300' is too much of a safety margin for a diver just remember, some divers are spearfishing and carry powerheads, if I came up and a boat was zooming around my flag when he had a whole ocean to roam, I might be tempted to well, you know

1+1=Spears through head.

Gotya =)

 

[boatradioman]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

I think 300ft could be a safety hazard to the boat operator and his passengers and any approaching boats.

 

[subcrx]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

300 feet isn't anything in the ocean. now in a lake thats questionable, but divers rarely do lakes. Very boring

 

[Xandre]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

I dive in Lake Onatario and am constantly nervous about people coming too close to me, my boat or dive flag\float.

Always some jetskiier kid flooring it aorund 50mph near me with out a clue what a dive flag even is. I have more than once tried to get out of the water into my boat to follow these morons for some water rage confrontation.

My personal opinion and experience is that most boaters don't even know the rules\laws on the water. I have had boats go right over my head in 8 foot of water!

 

[mikesea]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

For some reason,during the mini-lobster season here in the Keys ,you will see alot of flag ignorers.It gets downrite ugly at times.I have witness so many idiots,I rarely participate.In fact,the Keys is trying its best to have the season stopped.The straw that broke mine was,while towing my son ,as he looked for a spot.When he dove down ,another lobster mobster ran in and dove the same spot.This was not only me,happens alot.We have alot of accident here.Mostly because boaters dont heed the flag.

 

[ebry710]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

I always wonder how a boater would feel if they hit a diver within the protected area. After the diver is med-vacced out would that boater wish that he/she knew the rules of boating.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

If you think 300' is too much of a safety margin for a diver just remember, some divers are spearfishing and carry powerheads, if I came up and a boat was zooming around my flag when he had a whole ocean to roam, I might be tempted to well, you know

hey good idea. might work too

till you run into a guy that carries a shot gun

 

[cribber]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

That's one of the many reasons why every owner should take a USCG approved boater's safety course and for PWC it should be mandatory before you can get your registration. Most of the dealers here in Central Florida will throw in the costs of attending a class when you buy a boat from them to promote safe boating.

 

[njlarry]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

For theirown safety, wouldn't divers make their assents up a vertical achorline off their dive vessel?

 

[nuttyxp]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

As a diver of 30 plus years I have seen some idiotic moves on both parts, the diver and the boater. A good rule of thumb, if there is the possibility of a diver down and there is no room to maintain 300ft from flag, SLOW DOWN !!
Treat a diver as you would shallow water full of dead heads, snags, or rocks. Watch for bubbles to indicate divers position and give room acordingly. Please, just use some common sense, and instruct others on the meaning of the dive flag. When in a heavily boated area we used a small innertube with a seperate flag on it with thin 1/4 poly rope to pull it around with. (kept the flag near to us).
Watching out for each other is everyones responsibility...
good thread...

 

[triumphrick]

Re: what do if you see a diving flag?

I was PADI certified by the Parks and Recreation department of Honolulu Hawaii while stationed there in the Navy in 1969. Also a Florida native who has dived here since high school(1965). Needless to say, too many stories of boaters who have no clue what my dive flag means. Along with my buoy flag, I always run a big flag from my radio antennae, up mid way at least. I agree the "buzz bombs" are the most ignorant, but way too many seasoned boaters have run right over our area. Also, gave up those Key West lobster dive wars years ago. Sorry, but half of Miami comes down there and you know they speak no english. As the old bumper stickers on the Miami locals trucks used to read "Will the last American to leave the City, Please take the flag"