Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Other Equipment

Diver-Down Flags

Scuba divers must display a diver-down warning flag when diving. No more than four divers may dive under one flag, and divers must remain within 50 feet of their flag. Vessels not involved with the diving operation must remain 150 feet away from the flag. The diver-down flags are:

Illustrations	Types of Flags
	Divers Flag: A rectangular red flag, at least 15 x 12 inches, with a white diagonal stripe if on Minnesota waters.
	Alfa Flag (federal): A blue and white International Code Flag A (or Alfa flag) is to be displayed on the boat if diving on federally controlled or international waters. This flag indicates that a boat is involved in a diving activity.

Scuba divers and snorkelers should not place a flag in an area already occupied by other boaters or where their diving operation will impede the normal flow of waterway traffic. Divers should also follow all of the water safety rules themselves. The blue and white Alfa flag is required to be displayed by boats involved in diving or other activities on federal waters that restrict the boat’s ability to move.

Trailers

Minnesota law requires the following for trailers:

• Trailers may not exceed 45 feet in length. No trailer load may exceed 8 ½ feet in width or 13 ½ feet in height.
• Brakes are required on trailers with a load capacity of 3,000 pounds, or more.
• Taillights are required on all trailers. Larger trailers also require clearance and/or marker lamps. Signal and brake lamps are recommended.
• Safety chains are required. Safety chains should be crossed so the coupling will not fall to the road if the trailer becomes unhitched.

Special Events

Persons holding regattas, races, tournaments, or other events must obtain a permit from the county sheriff first, or, if event is to be held on commercially navigable or joint-jurisdiction waterways, also from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Markers and Buoys

Private waterway markers or buoys may not be placed in the water overnight without a permit from the county sheriff.

Local Regulations

Certain bodies of water have local restrictions. To find out if special rules apply to a waterway on which you plan to boat, call the county sheriff or a DNR office, or check the DNR website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/boating then click on Local Surface Use Regulations.