Ohio Dive Flags

Rules for OH divers and boaters

Thanks to Rob Biedenharn for pointing us to the following information.

For Divers in Ohio

The site has a section on that excerpts the relevant sections of the . They cite the following, “passages indicate that an Alpha flag should be used on most boat diving operations in public waters. It would appear that the “code A” (Apha) flag is required regardless of the size of the watercraft.”

(B) A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, except a vessel engaged in minesweeping operations, shall exhibit:

(D) A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, when restricted in its ability to maneuver, shall exhibit the lights and shapes prescribed in paragraphs (B)(1), (B)(2), and (B)(3) of this rule and shall in addition, when an obstruction exists, exhibit:

(E) Whenever the size of a vessel engaged in diving operations makes it impracticable to exhibit all lights and shapes prescribed in paragraph (D) of this rule, the following shall instead be exhibited:

(2) A rigid replica of the International Code flag “A” not less than one meter in height; measures shall be taken to insure its all-round visibility.

(G) A vessel of less than twelve meters in length, except when engaged in diving operations, is not required to exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in this rule.

For Boaters in Ohio

From the Ohio Revised Code:

1547.08 Operation in certain areas prohibited; no wake or idle speed areas; marking by buoys or signs.

(D) No person shall operate a vessel within three hundred feet of an official diver’s flag unless the person is tendering the diving operation.

1547.01 Definitions.

(1) “Vessel” includes every description of watercraft, including nondisplacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

(22) “Diver’s flag” means a red flag not less than one foot square having a diagonal white stripe extending from the masthead to the opposite lower corner that when displayed indicates that divers are in the water.

Happy Diving,
Chris
Chris Whitten
chris-(@)-interesting.com (remove the hyphens and parentheses)
Dive-Flag.com Webmaster

P.S. The information above was as complete and up-to-date at the time as I could make it. It should not be construed as providing legal advice. You should conduct your own legal research or contact an attorney.