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

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.

How far must you stay away from a diving flag?

Scuba divers or snorkelers must display a diver-down flag that marks their diving area. The flag must be displayed whenever someone is diving below the surface. Vessels should stay as far away from a diver-down flag as is reasonable and prudent for the circumstances. The suggested safe distance is 100 yards.

What does the blue and white Alpha flag signify?

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.

What is the minimum safe distance to keep from a dive flag on the water?

All vessels must navigate so as to avoid injury to the diver or interference with the vessel or floating object. DoT recommends where possible skippers maintain a distance of more than 100 metres from a vessel or buoy displaying a dive flag.

What color flag is used to mark snorkeling?

A red and white flag carried on a buoy is used to mark areas where diving is in progress, although divers may stray from the boundaries of the marked areas.

When do you use the International Code flag?

Although you may never see them displayed except at fleet parades, around naval installations, and areas with heavy international shipping traffic, International code flags are used to signal between two ships or between ship and shore. Also called signaling flags, they are a set of ship flags of different colors,

What’s the distance between a diver and a flag?

Vessels not engaged in diving operations should remain at a safe distance away from a displayed flag, preferably at least 200 feet away. Some county ordinances may have specific restrictions.

What do you do when you see a red flag with a white diagonal stripe?

What do you do when you see a red flag or buoy with a white diagonal stripe? ➢ When you see a red flag with a white diagonal stripe, this indicates there are divers or snorkelers in the water. Stay at least 300 feet away when in open water, and slow to idle speed if you must come within 100 feet when in a narrow channel or river.

How many colors are on a maritime flag?

These maritime flags include 26 square flags which depict the letters of the alphabet, ten numeral pendants, one answering pendant, and three substituters or repeaters. Only a few colors can be readily distinguished at sea.