Boaters: Be aware of divers

ENGLEWOOD — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking boaters and divers to practice safe boating as well as good diving habits by adhering to the state's flag regulations.

According to an FWC news release, divers-down flags and buoys are warning devices used by divers and dive vessels to signal their presence in the water.

The flag is red with a white diagonal stripe, and must be displayed whenever a diver is partially or wholly submerged in the water.

"When navigating near a divers-down flag, boaters must operate at idle speed within 300 feet in open water or within 100 feet on rivers, inlets or navigational channels," FWC Boating and Waterways Section Leader Bill Holcomb said in a news release. "Divers need to stay within 300 feet of their properly displayed flags on open water and 100 feet on rivers, inlets or navigational channels."

The divers-down flag must be at least 12-by-12 inches in the water and at least 20-by-24 inches on a vessel. They must always be visible.

"Vessel operators should be aware of what is going on around them at all times and be on the lookout for divers-down flags nearby," FWC Director of Law Enforcement Brian Smith said. "This is not just responsible boating and ensuring the safety of divers and the boating public — it's also the law."

The news release said divers being struck is common every year where they become injured or killed.

"Working together, vessel operators and divers can each play a part in preventing tragedy on the water this summer," the news release said.

For more information, visit

MyFWC.com/boating, click on "boating regulations," and select "divers-down warning devices."