Diving flags are markers used to indicate to other vessels when diving activities are in progress. Using diving flags correctly is vital for the safety of the divers, as other boaters can easily overlook individuals in the water, particularly in choppy or low-visibility conditions. Show Here are the two most commonly used diving flags, what they mean and how to recognize them! Types of diving flagsIf you plan to use your vessel for diving excursions, the following flags are vital boating safety equipment to have on board! The Alpha flag The Alpha flag, officially known as International Code flag “A”, is a blue and white pennant flag that is flown on a diving vessel. This internationally-recognized flag indicates to other boaters that the vessel is engaged in diving activities and therefore has reduced maneuverability, meaning that other boats must cede the right of way. According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, the Alpha flag should be a rigid replica at least 1 m (39 inches) in height, displayed prominently near the highest point of the vessel for optimal visibility. The diver down flagThe diver down flag is the main diving flag used in North America. It is a red flag with a white diagonal stripe that extends from the top of the hoist to the bottom of the fly. This diving flag is usually flown from a buoy in the water to indicate an area where diving is underway. It can also be attached to a diver so that it follows them through the water. A diver down flag flown from a buoy should be at least 50 cm (20 inches) in length. It needs to be set high enough above the water that approaching vessels can see it even in choppy conditions, and the buoy must be stable enough to ensure that the flag doesn’t topple over. Maintaining a safe distanceDiving flags are intended to ensure that other vessels maintain a safe distance from divers and their boats in order to prevent collisions and other accidents. Transport Canada recommends that vessels stay at least 100 m (328 ft) away from a diving flag wherever possible. Similarly, divers should do their best to stay within 100 m (328 ft) of their flag. In the event that a vessel cannot maintain such a distance (e.g. in a river, inlet or other confined navigation channel), it should slow down, move cautiously and stay as far away from the diving area as possible. Learn more about safe boating practices with Drive a Boat Canada!By law, recreational boaters are required to pass an exam and obtain their pleasure craft operator card in order to boat on Canadian waters. Drive a Boat Canada offers a boating safety course that teaches new boaters everything they need to know before taking the boating exam online. Register for the course today and check out our blog for more useful boating safety tips! Just like for vehicles on our roadways, there are rules that apply to the lights that must be displayed by boats. These lights provide critical information to the operators of other vessels when they see you. Depending on the lights required to be displayed on your boat based on its length and type of propulsion, the information that these lights provide to others can tell them whether you are at anchor or underway or engaged in some other activity, whether you are a power-driven vessel or not, what your heading is, etc. Other vessels around you make collision avoidance decisions based on the information available to them, that's why it is so important that the information your navigation lights are giving them is the correct information. If you are caught by the police not showing lights or showing improper lights, you will likely be fined. Worse yet, if the information your navigation lights are providing is incorrect and an accident occurs as a result of this, there could be serious repercussions. When must navigation lights be displayed?
Port and starboard sidelightsa red light on the port side and a green light on the starboard side. Stern lighta white light placed at the stern of the boat. Masthead lighta white light projecting towards the front of the boat. All-round lighta white light projecting all around the vessel. Blue flashing lightsAll law enforcement agencies (Police) and some government agencies must display an all-around blue-flashing beam engaged in duties in Canadian waters. Yellow lights when towingis a navigation light used for towing. It's a yellow light placed at the forward end of a towing vessel or vessel being towed.
Navigation lights for a powerboat operating at night (less than 12 meters (39,4") in length)According to the Collision regulations, an operator of a power driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length, and underway, may display, from sunset to sunrise:
Navigation lights for a powerboat operating at night (more than 12 meters (39,4") in length)According to the Collision regulations an operator of a power driven vessel of more than 12 metres in length, and underway, may display, from sunset to sunrise: Sailboat operating at night (properly lit sailboat)The operator of a sailboat operating under sails at night shall, from sunset to sunrise, display:
A sailing vessel may exhibit at or near the top of the mast, two all-round lights in a vertical line: the upper one red and the lower one green. These lights are shown along with the sidelights and sternlight. For sailboats operating under motor power: Vessel engaged in fishingA vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, shall display:
Vessel when engaged in trawlingA vessel when engaged in trawling, which means dragging a dredge net or other fishing apparatus through the water, shall display:
Tug boat lights (tow length under 200m)Tug boat lights (tow length over 200m)Navigation lights at anchorAt anchor, the operator of a pleasure craft shall display, from sunset to sunrise, in the fore part, an all-around white light. A powerboat anchored at night must display an all-around white light. Rowboats (kayakers and canoers) at nightNavigation lights are also required for human-powered vessels (canoe, kayak) or for a sailing pleasure craft of less than 7 metres in length not under power. When underway, the operator shall, from sunset to sunrise, display, if practical, sidelights and a sternlight, but if the operator cannot, he/she must have at hand, a flashlight or lighted lantern emitting a white light which must be lit in enough time to prevent a collision. Diving vesselsThe Navigation Rules require vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver to display appropriate day shapes or lights. To meet this requirement, recreational vessels engaged in diving activities may exhibit a rigid replica of the international code flag "A" not less than one meter in height or at night display the navigation lights as shown below (red/white/red).
This requirement does not affect the use of a red and white diver flag, which may be required by state or local law to mark a diver's location. The "A" flag (blue and white, shown above) is a navigation signal indicating the vessel's restricted maneuverability and does not pertain to the diver. Navigation lights should be checked prior to departing the dock, and you should always carry spare bulbs. The USCG doesn’t care if they were working when you left, only that they are working when required. The following are examples of navigation lights:Sailing vessel seen from starboard sideSailing vessel seen from the frontPower-driven vessel anchoredPower-driven vessel seen from starboard sidePower-driven vessel seen from port sidePower-driven vessel seen from the stern (back) |
What color flag indicates a vessel is engaged in diving operations and is restricted in maneuverability California?
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