What does a blue flag mean on a boat?

What does a blue flag mean on a boat?

Two types of flags are used to indicate diving activity. A blue-and-white International Code Flag A (or Alpha flag) must be displayed on boats involved in a diving activity.

What do flags mean on boats?

What do the boat flags mean?

What is the meaning of the blue-and-white boating flag?

A diver down flag, or scuba flag, is a flag used on the water to indicate that there is a diver below. Internationally, the code flag alfa/alpha, which is white and blue, is used to signal that the vessel has a diver down and other vessels should keep well clear at slow speed.

When boating you see a blue-and-white International Code Flag A?

Alfa Flag
Alfa Flag: A blue-and-white International Code Flag A (or Alfa flag), at least 3.3 feet (one meter) high and visible from all directions, must be displayed on vessels on federally controlled waters. This flag indicates that the vessel is involved in a diving activity.

What does a quarantine flag look like?

The “Quebec” signal flag, called the “Yellow Jack”, is a simple yellow flag that was historically used to signify a vessel was, or might be, harboring a dangerous disease and needed to be quarantined (it stands for “Q”).

What does the Blue Peter flag stand for?

Definition of blue peter : a blue signal flag with a white square in the center used to indicate that a merchant vessel is ready to sail.

What is the meaning of one flag signal?

urgent
One-flag signals are urgent or very common signals (see meanings below). Two-flag signals are mostly distress and maneuvering signals. Three-flag signals are for points of the compass, relative bearings, standard times, verbs, punctuation, also general code and decode signals.

What flag should I fly on my boat?

United States Ensign The U.S. national ensign, sometimes called “50-star” or “Old Glory,” is the proper and preferred flag for all U.S. vessels. Your boat should wear it from 0800 until sunset, and when you enter or leave port during daylight or at night, weather and rig permitting.

When boating you see a blue and white International Code flag A or Alfa flag How far away should you stay from the displayed flag?

200 feet away
Vessels not engaged in diving operations should remain at a safe distance away from a displayed flag, preferably at least 200 feet away.

What does blue flag mean?

The “Thin Blue Line” American flag represents law enforcement and is flown to show support for the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect us. The phrase “The Thin Blue Line” is synonymous with “Police” and “Law Enforcement” and can be used interchangeably.

Can a red and white diving flag be used on a boat?

The Safe Boating Guide issued by Transport Canada recommends boat operators keep clear 100m (328′) from a diving flag/buoy. In practice, one is more likely to see a red and white flag than a blue and white flag for pleasure scuba divers in Canada and the US where it is widely recognized.

What does the a flag on a boat mean?

For example, if you see the A (Alpha) flag, this means “diver down, keep clear.” If you see the W (Whiskey) flag, the boat has a medical emergency and needs help. The combination of the D (Delta) and V (Victor) flags, meanwhile, means “I’m maneuvering with difficulty and require assistance.”

Where does the courtesy flag go on a boat?

If you fly a courtesy flag, do so at the boat’s starboard spreader. If there is more than one mast, then it must be flown off the starboard spreader of the forward most mast. By “proper condition,” you must fly a flag that is not old or in a disrespectful state.

When do you take your flag down on a boat?

It is proper etiquette to only fly ensign flags from 0800 to sunset unless you’re in a boat race outside those hours. It is also important to take this flag down before leaving your boat if it is unmanned at sunset. If you take your boat into international waters, you should fly your national flag.