It is a hot and calm afternoon. Good time to drop hook and go for a swim, maybe do a little snorkeling around the boat. I have 2 flags; one is an orange flag with a white strip diagonally which was sold to me as a diver's flag to be flown while divers are down, the other is white and blue which is the letter "A" in the international signal flag codes. For the International Signal Flags, the letter "A" flag when flown alone has a definition of "Divers Down Keep Clear". Which is the correct flag to fly on my Cape Dory when I have swimmers around the boat or does it matter? I thought I heard that the orange one was the American Diver's flag and should only be used in US. Of the 2 flags I have, the White-Blue one is the better looking one as it is made of nylon and has a plexiglass batten sewn in it to hold it out even in calm wind. The orange one is is a plastic material and has a wire attached diagonally to hold it out in a calm situation as well.
I'm chartering in a few weeks in the British Virgin Islands so should I use the Blue and White one there as I would be in international waters?
Also, was wondering about the proper location to fly the flag? I usually fly it clipped to the starboard schroud about 6 feet above the deck. I don't have a spreader halyard yet. My charter boat will have a Flag halyard to the spreader so that is where I plan to fly it in the BVI.
I want to be proper especially when aboard my Cape Dory 25.
Any advice from the seasoned Skippers on this board would be appreciated.
metreece@duke-energy.com
Flag Etiquette - Which to Fly?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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John R.
Re: Flag Etiquette - Which to Fly?
For flag etiquette consult Chapmans Piloting and Seamanship.
In what you describe I would probably use the Blue/white in the BVI but would consult with the local boaters or harbormaster once you arrive. The red/white or orange/white divers flag is used here in the States and territorial waters. For display location of that particular flag consult Chapmans.
In what you describe I would probably use the Blue/white in the BVI but would consult with the local boaters or harbormaster once you arrive. The red/white or orange/white divers flag is used here in the States and territorial waters. For display location of that particular flag consult Chapmans.
Max Treece wrote: It is a hot and calm afternoon. Good time to drop hook and go for a swim, maybe do a little snorkeling around the boat. I have 2 flags; one is an orange flag with a white strip diagonally which was sold to me as a diver's flag to be flown while divers are down, the other is white and blue which is the letter "A" in the international signal flag codes. For the International Signal Flags, the letter "A" flag when flown alone has a definition of "Divers Down Keep Clear". Which is the correct flag to fly on my Cape Dory when I have swimmers around the boat or does it matter? I thought I heard that the orange one was the American Diver's flag and should only be used in US. Of the 2 flags I have, the White-Blue one is the better looking one as it is made of nylon and has a plexiglass batten sewn in it to hold it out even in calm wind. The orange one is is a plastic material and has a wire attached diagonally to hold it out in a calm situation as well.
I'm chartering in a few weeks in the British Virgin Islands so should I use the Blue and White one there as I would be in international waters?
Also, was wondering about the proper location to fly the flag? I usually fly it clipped to the starboard schroud about 6 feet above the deck. I don't have a spreader halyard yet. My charter boat will have a Flag halyard to the spreader so that is where I plan to fly it in the BVI.
I want to be proper especially when aboard my Cape Dory 25.
Any advice from the seasoned Skippers on this board would be appreciated.
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Lou Ostendorff
Re: Flag Etiquette - Which to Fly?
Hi Max and Others;
I would check the references that John R. mentioned for the 'proper' and 'legal' way to fly the diver's flag...but personally, I wouldn't rely on any flag to protect you...I was a scuba diving instructor in a former life, and it always amazed me how hanging out our 'diver's flag' would attract attention from other boaters...I was even asked, while in the water, in the company of some 10 or 12 students, by some bonehead boater, if this was where the race was going to start! Officially, the red flag with white diagonal should be flown in the US, preferably from an anchored float in the water, where divers, or snorkelers, will not venture more than 100 feet away in any direction. The 'Alpha' flag, is supposed to be the international diver's flag, so I would suggest flying that one outside the Continental US, also preferably on a float nearby. Flying either flag from your vessel is even less of a warning, or guarantee, that people (boaters) will recognize, and respect it. I do know, that firms in the Diving Charter Business tend to fly their flags from their vessels, however, they are usually offshore, or away from heavy boater traffic. Just some thoughts from an old 'mossy back'....
Lou Ostendorff
CD25D Karma
Berthed in Havelock, NC
louosten@ipass.net
I would check the references that John R. mentioned for the 'proper' and 'legal' way to fly the diver's flag...but personally, I wouldn't rely on any flag to protect you...I was a scuba diving instructor in a former life, and it always amazed me how hanging out our 'diver's flag' would attract attention from other boaters...I was even asked, while in the water, in the company of some 10 or 12 students, by some bonehead boater, if this was where the race was going to start! Officially, the red flag with white diagonal should be flown in the US, preferably from an anchored float in the water, where divers, or snorkelers, will not venture more than 100 feet away in any direction. The 'Alpha' flag, is supposed to be the international diver's flag, so I would suggest flying that one outside the Continental US, also preferably on a float nearby. Flying either flag from your vessel is even less of a warning, or guarantee, that people (boaters) will recognize, and respect it. I do know, that firms in the Diving Charter Business tend to fly their flags from their vessels, however, they are usually offshore, or away from heavy boater traffic. Just some thoughts from an old 'mossy back'....
Lou Ostendorff
CD25D Karma
Berthed in Havelock, NC
louosten@ipass.net