Boat Hits Diver, Divers Flag Ignored
 

There have been quite a few, too many cases of divers maimed by boat propellers. In many of these cases Divers Down flags were being flown but were ignored. Better awareness should fix a good deal of this. Please checkout this video, lots of good information for divers and boaters. No one wants to have a day end like this.





Divers-down Flag Regulations:

"The size of divers-down flags displayed on vessels must be at least 20 inches by 24 inches, and a stiffener is required to keep the flag unfurled. Dive flags carried on floats must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches. Also, divers-down flags on vessels must be displayed above the vessel's highest point so that the flag's visibility is not obstructed in any direction.

Divers must make reasonable efforts to stay within 300 feet of a divers-down flag on open waters (all waterways other than rivers, inlets, or navigation channels) and within 100 feet of a flag within rivers, inlets, or navigation channels.

Vessel operators must make a reasonable effort to maintain a distance of at least 300 feet from divers-down flags on open waters and at least 100 feet from flags on rivers, inlets or navigation channels. Vessels approaching divers-down flags closer than 300 feet in open water and 100 feet in rivers, inlets and navigation channels must slow to idle speed.

When divers are out of the water, a dive flag may not be displayed."
http://myfwc.com/rulesandregs/Rules_Boat.htm#flag


Information on past accidents at: http://www.rbbi.com/pgic/propacc/2009.htm


Thanks to Debby Bradford for posting the video on Facebook!

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