Watch Out For That Flag

Karla Clinch

     As a diver, one of my pet peeves is the lack of knowledge that some boaters have about diving.  In this article, I will attempt to explain some of the finer points of courtesy toward divers and dive boats.

     There are three basic types of divers, first, if the occasional diver.  These are folks that are visiting the area, and basically only dive a few times per year.

     Then there are the recreational divers, who generally live in the area, or are within driving distance, and go out once or twice a month to dive.

     And lastly, there are the hard-core divers.  We are the ones who would be out every single day, morning, noon, and night, if we had our way about it.  We are the ones who not only love being under the ocean, but also simply love being on top of the ocean.

     There are two basic types of boat diving done in the south Florida area.  Wreck and Drift Diving.

     Wreck diving is just that.  We tie up to sunken wrecks with a line and buoy, or sometimes tie the boat off to the wreck.  We then jump in the water, and go check that wreck out.  Now the problem comes in, when other boaters do not respect that and start to fish or drop anchor on the wreck, or even within 100 feet of the buoy.  If the buoy has “rode” on it, you could very well be dropping anchor on a diver, and not realize it, or you could hook up a diver with your line, injuring them.

     Drift diving is where we take a small flag and float, and drift with the current, with the boat following to pick us up when we are finished with our dive.

     I am sure that most of us know what a divers down flag looks like---it’s red, with a white diagonal line running from one corner to another.  There is also an international flag, which is called the Alpha Flag.  It is shaped similar to a “K”, with white on the backside, and blue on the “K” side.

     All commercial dive boats are required, by Coast Guard Regulations to display the diver down flag when there are divers in the water.  That same law also requires other boaters to stay 300 feet away from those flag, and boats.

     As a diver who has had her flag and float mutilated by a go-fast boat (he was clocked going in the Boca Inlet doing 60MPH), I can tell you it is frightening.  If I were inexperienced, I probably would have been killed.

      Just recently, I was trolled over, and had a bait net cast over me by a small open fisherman.  When I said something, I was “flipped off” and told that they had been trolling that wreck for over an hour, howbeit, they were not there when I was dropped on the wreck.

     Here are some simple guidelines to follow when you see divers in the water:

1) Keep a safe distance.  The law requires you to stay at least 300 feet from a dive flag.  If you have questions or would like more information, or are simply curious, go to Channel 18, which most dive boats monitor, hail the captain of the boat, and ask for permission to approach.  Most dive boat operators are friendly folks, who will welcome the opportunity to chat.

2) If you see a dive flag, or a diver in the water, and there are no other boats around (hey, there are some ripping currents out there?) approach that diver slowly, giving them the OK signal---making a big “O” with your hand on top of your head---if they are physically OK, they should return that gesture.  Then you may approach them, slowly, and ask if they need anything.  They may be in need of a safe place to rest for a moment, and for you to call their boat to let them know where they are.  Chances are, someone is looking for them. 

     One day, just outside of the Hillsboro Inlet, we were diving a deeper wreck, about 220ft to the sand, when one of the divers was ripped off the line, due to the horrendous currents, and when he was found by a passing fishing boat (Thanks) he was a mile north of the Hillsboro Inlet.  We could not leave the other divers at the time, as they were doing decompression stops that would last an hour.  For that matter, we did not even know that he was missing until the last diver got back on the boat.  The passing boat picked him up, safe, and they were kind enough to deliver him to us.  He was a lucky fellow, let me tell you!

3) Even if you are the proper distance from a dive boat or flag, please keep a sharp lookout for “MAYPOP DIVERS”.  These are divers, such as the one above, who get separated from the flag or wreck and do not have a safety sausage (A tall orange/red/yellow bag that stands out on the water.)

     The point is, you often times can’t see them in the water, especially if they are dressed in all black equipment---black on the ocean can be hard to see.

4) Sailboats need to be especially watchful.  Since the Captain is generally in the back of the vessel, it may be harder to see someone who pops up under his bow.  Understanding, of course, that there isn’t always anything you can do, if there is no boat around, or nothing to suggest that a diver might pop up underneath you.  Sailboats also offer danger, in that they make no noise.  If I can hear a boat coming, I can always go back down 15 ft or so, to prevent being run over, but I cannot do that it I can’t hear it.

     Divers, you should also be prepared and know the rules of the road.  learn how to properly use, and then carry a life back and a line reel at all times.  Your life may depend on it one day.  I also carry a boaters air horn, attached to my flag and float, allowing me to verbally signal a passing boater, if need be.  In my BC pocket, I carry two flares, for emergencies.

     Also remember that if you are diving off your own boat, to be respectful of the rights of all boaters to be on the water.

Thanks, and safe diving!