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Dive flags

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Divers, snorkelers, spear fishers

Be safe, be seen – fly the flag

Dive flags are used to let other boaties know that they need to look out and slow down.

Under New Zealand maritime rules, divers must display a blue and white letter A (alfa flag) on their dive vessel to signal they are diving in an area. The skipper and every person diving from the vessel are jointly responsible for ensuring that the flag is displayed and visible from a distance of over 200 metres from all directions. It must be located within reasonable proximity to the divers.

The regional bylaw also requires every person diving from shore using scuba or snorkelling equipment, or any person free diving for the purpose of fishing to ensure they have an A flag displayed. It’s good practice to either tow a float displaying the flag or, where practical, anchor it in the area you’re diving. Flags, floats and anchors can be purchased from most dive shops.

Skippers

See a float? Slow your boat

If you’re travelling within 50 metres of a swimmer or within 200 metres of a boat displaying a dive flag then you must reduce your speed to 5 knots or less.

Keep a look out for bubbles or people in the water and use extreme caution if you see any kind of float marked in any kind of way.