Talk:Diver down flag
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[edit] Code Flag Alpha
The use of flags as far as I can see, is as follows:
The Red/White flag is used in US inland and coastal waters (and probably elsewhere) to indicate "Diver Down".
In International waters and the coastal waters of the UK (as well as other countries), the International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea apply. Rule 27 paras (d) and (e) are as follows:
(d) A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, when restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, shall exhibit the lights and shapes prescribed in sub-paragraph(b) (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Rule and shall in addition, when an obstruction exists, exhibit;
(i) two all-round red lights or two balls in a vertical line to indicate the side on which the obstruction exists;
(ii) two all-round green lights or two diamonds in a vertical line to indicate the side on which side a vessel may pass;
(iii) when at anchor the lights or shapes prescribed in this paragraph instead of the lights or shape prescribed in Rule 30.
(e) Whenever the size of a vessel engaged in diving operations makes it impracticable to exhibit all the lights and shapes prescribed in the paragraph (d) of this Rule, the following shall be exhibited;
(i) three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white;
(ii) a rigid replica of the International Code Flag "A" not less than 1 metre in height. Measures shall be taken to ensure its all-round visibility.
(online source: Sailtrain, IRPCS)
Therefore the use of the 'A' flag is specifically on a vessel, "when restricted in her ability to manoeuvre" and when "the size of a vessel engaged in diving operations makes it impracticable to exhibit all the lights and shapes prescribed". Note that the mention of the 'A' flag is only in para (e) and this applies solely to small vessels "engaged in diving operations".
So it would be correct to say that the 'A' flag has the meaning vessel 'engaged in diving operations and restricted in her ability to manoeuvre'. This applies in all of the UK and in International waters. I'll try to make the edits here and in Scuba diving to improve accuracy. --RexxS (talk) 16:33, 27 May 2008 (UTC)
[edit] Where else in the world?
Hello, I came across your edit and I wonder, whether you could provide any source to support your statement, that the use of the diver down flag is required by law or regulation "in many other countries all over the world" besides the US and Canada? Thanks. --AtonX (talk) 15:45, 27 May 2008 (UTC)
Well, for example I live in Italy and here it is required by law[1]. (I just added that reference at the article)
Here [1] they also cite Switzerland...
Thank you for pointing out the lack of references.
If anybody know other places in the world where the red-white diver down flag is required by law, please add them to this discussion (or to the article). Please do not forget to add also some references. Thanks! Basilicofresco (talk) 07:18, 28 May 2008 (UTC)
- ^ Italian regulations about the Diver Down Flag. D.P.R. n° 1639 del 2 ottobre 1968. Retrieved on 2008-05-28.
From the italan regulation (DPR 1639/68) it is obvious, that it regulates "marine fishing". Legally, it cannot be interpreted, that any diving activity is covered. This should be specified in the article. --AtonX (talk) 10:44, 4 June 2008 (UTC)
