 Ohio Dive Flag Laws
Here are some relevant sections of the Ohio Revised Code that
reference Ohio dive flag usage laws:
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.
 From Ohio
Administrative Code, Division of Watercraft.
Highlighted 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.
1501:47 Division of Watercraft
1501:47-2-27 Vessels not
under command or restricted in their ability to maneuver.
(A) A vessel not under
command shall exhibit:
(1) Two all-round red
lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen.
(2) Two balls or
similar shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen.
(3) When making way
through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph,
sidelights and a sternlight.
(B) A vessel
restricted in its ability to maneuver, except a vessel engaged in
minesweeping operations, shall exhibit:
(1) Three all-round
lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and
lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white.
(2) Three shapes in a
vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these
shapes shall be balls and the middle one a diamond.
(3) When making way
through the water, masthead lights, sidelights and a sternlight, in addition
to the lights prescribed in paragraph (B)(1) of this rule.
(4) When at anchor, in
addition to the lights or shapes prescribed in paragraphs (B)(1) and (B)(2)
of this rule, the light, lights or shapes prescribed in rule
1501:47-2-30 of the Administrative Code.
(C) A vessel engaged
in a towing operation which severely restricts the towing vessel and its tow
in their ability to deviate from their course shall, in addition to the
lights or shapes prescribed in paragraphs (B)(1) and (B)(2) of this rule,
exhibit the lights or shape prescribed in rule
1501:47-2-24 of the Administrative Code.
(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:
(1) Two all-round red
lights or two balls in a vertical line to indicate the side on which the
obstruction exists.
(2) Two all-round
green lights or two diamonds in a vertical line to indicate the side on
which another vessel may pass.
(3) When at anchor, the
lights or shape prescribed by this rule, instead of the lights or shapes
prescribed in rule
1501:47-2-30 of the Administrative Code for
anchored vessels.
(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:
(1) Three all-round
lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen; the highest and
lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white.
(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.
(F) A vessel engaged in
minesweeping operations shall, in addition to the lights prescribed for a
power-driven in rule
1501:47-2-23 of the Administrative Code,
exhibit three all-round green lights or three balls. One of these lights or
shapes shall be exhibited near the foremast head and one at each end of the
fore yard. These lights or shapes indicate that it is dangerous for another
vessel to approach closer than one thousand meters astern or five hundred
meters on either side of the minesweeper.
(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.
(H) The signals
prescribed in this rule are not signals of vessels in distress and requiring
assistance. Such signals are contained in annex IV of the "I.N.R.A."
No person shall
operate or permit to be operated, any vessel on the waters in this state, in
violation of this rule.
Disclaimer:
This information is provided as a general guideline and was thought to be
correct at the time this page was published. It is recommended to ask local
authorities of the requirements in their area. DO NOT take this information
to be absolutely correct or complete. To search Ohio laws, we suggest you
visit this website:
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