It's the Law: Required Equipment for Your Vessel

Other Equipment—Diver Down Flag

Persons scuba diving, skin diving or snorkeling must display a red and white divers flag. Divers or snorkelers must remain within 100 feet of the divers flag.

If possible, vessel operators not engaged in the diving operation should stay at least 100 feet from a displayed flag. If not possible, vessel operators must reduce speed to no more than 3 miles per hour. The “diver down” flags are:

Divers Flag: A rectangular red flag with a white diagonal stripe, at least 12 x 15 inches in size and constructed of rigidly supported material. This flag must be displayed on a vessel or surface float and must extend a minimum distance of three feet from the surface of the water.
Alfa Flag: A blue and white International Code Flag A (or Alfa flag), flown from a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver. This flag indicates that a vessel is involved in a diving activity. The Alfa flag may be displayed in addition to the divers flag, but does not replace the divers flag.

Divers engaged in recreational marine fisheries activities (i.e., lobsters, fin fish) are subject to special regulations. Refer to www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf.

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Online boating safety handbook last modified: April 22, 2008
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