Avoiding Scuba Divers, Surface Marker Buoys etc

Now you've spoiled a good post by exaggerating!

I have passed BSAC and PADI courses and still can't answer some of your questions. That doesn't mean I don't care;- it means I don't need to know. I know nothing about nitrox except vaguely what it is . Neither do I know about titanium regulators.

It bothers me not as I don't use either. If I wanted to, I would "take the course".

For basic Open Water Diver, a simple course is sufficient to qualify you and PADI nver fail anyone. (If you fail a written test, you will be told why, corrected and tested again).
 
Its a slim but real problem, as a diver and sailor of both yachts and fast dinghies it does concern me sometimes how poorly the dive boats (usually the small ribs) are marked, and flags displayed.

I almost think in some areas it warrants a yellow flashing light, and I know loads of people will start quoting light rules but for daylight use it could really help....or even a strobe?

perhaps there is room for a new daylight warning for divers in busier areas...?

I'm looking forward to a trip to the scillies in a few weeks..sailing and diving hopefully.

(Oh and I was self taught, as I sailed boats with dive kit and had to use it....but I have now done the bits of paper)
 
The problem generally lies with the dive boats and NOT the yachts

us yachties can only avoid what we can see!!
a 12 inch flag on a rib is almost invisible until you are almost on it.
I urge all divers to invest in a proper big flag and pole. then we will see them and avoid them.

second AIS will come for yachts in due course. I suggest that you seek to get a special symbol for dive boats and again we can all avoid you.
 
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a 12 inch flag on a rib is almost invisible until you are almost on it

[/ QUOTE ]

At the risk of repeating myself. Colregs 27(e)(ii) states a rigid REPLICA of the international code flag A, NOT LESS than 1 metre in height. Measures shall be taken to ensure its all-round visibility.

A flag drooping limply, or fluttering on a pole is not sufficient to comply with the regulations.
 
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BTW, many of the folk on this forum are divers,

[/ QUOTE ]Muff?
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“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo
 
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I think 100% of people believe they could steer a 'boat' ask them to don scuba gear and jump in, I bet they'd refuse.


Good points, well made.

thanks.

Mark

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I know a few who have done it and are still diving! There is a difference between spending ~1K on some diving gear and 50K+ on a half decent boat.
FWIW I started diving some 35 years ago when men were men and seals were nervous, when a single hose valve was unheard off, when you made your own wet-suit (dry bags were strictly pro or more like hard hat) I was also a club instructor and examiner until I got fed up with the politics, bullshite, petty rules (new rules) and general ego tripping of people in the governing bodies. Now, I do my own thing and AFAIAC the petty minded bureaucrats and ego trippers can shove their petty rules and regulations where the sun doesn't shine.
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“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo
 
Re: Flag ALPHA

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Only once has a flae came out to a yottie, and when he saw me aim at his main sail did he alter course,,,,,,, fast.

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he he, you jest shirly....

A white handheld is for collision and proximity warning. As a little warning, if you decide to attempt murder by firing a pyrotechnic toward my vessel, be sure you have more flares on board than I do, because it will turn in to a fight, and I will defend myself, if that means firing a flare up your jacksee then so be it.....

Most rational people would of course call on VHF warning of the danger or wave an A flag on a stick to make the point.

Do not come in here threatening people, for it will just degenerate the thread which so far has been quite interesting and educational.

I too was a commercial dive vessel skipper, and never once even thought about the tub of flares on the wheel house floor, either you have serious emotional problems or you should seek help from anger management.

Do you look down on all 'yotties'?

Sad.....

[/ QUOTE ]Personally if Taurus Skipper, who ever, or what ever he thinks he is, pulled a stunt as he says he has in the past on my vessel it would be the last time he ever set foot on a boat except as a passenger. He (or she) obviously thinks he is above the law and has dillusions of grandeur concerning his responsibilities. Definitely not playing with the full deck.

To Taurus Skipper, If you want to play with me and my vessel your are welcome but be warned, you will come off worst. I also suggest you read up on maritime law before you go round threatening any other vessel.
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“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo
 
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You beat me by a couple of years - bring back the Merlin and the Black Prince!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]Ah, the memories.... Those were the days - none of this PC'ness and colour co-ordinated diving suits or day-glo fins or masks, and "buoyancy compensators" and "stab jackets" - what were they? bring back the old "Fenzy" - 100' to the surface in less than 10 seconds - what a rush - used to be known as a "polaris" ascent. Most of the ones these days don't know how to use a twin hose never mind sharing one at 130'.
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“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo
 
We were out diving this week. All flags and buoys shown, but still had to keep an active lookout in a small inflatable and approach yachts + mobos as they headed straight for us. Most changed course, but one arsehole just sailed by within 15 feet, yelling SO WHAT.
 
[ QUOTE ]
We were out diving this week. All flags and buoys shown, but still had to keep an active lookout in a small inflatable and approach yachts + mobos as they headed straight for us. Most changed course, but one arsehole just sailed by within 15 feet, yelling SO WHAT.

[/ QUOTE ]I can sympathize with your problem having started diving 35 years ago. There will always be those of doubtful parentage out there, however to threaten to fire a flare at an approaching boats sails or "cut across their bows" is not the answer unless you want to loose your commercial ticket and spend some time at her majesty's pleasure. Why not take the name of the boat who said "so what?" and report them to either the local police and/or the MCA. It would appear there have been many prosecutions recently of boat owners / skippers "behaving badly".

I assume you were flying the proscribed 1 metre high rigid replica of "Alpha" and that it was visible from all directions. If not you were also in the wrong and would not have a leg to stand on.
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“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo
 
Re: Flag ALPHA

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As a dive charter skipper out of Dover, the only problem i get are from inexperienced posers and some of our Dutch vistors.

My boat is big enough to fly a good size ' A ', and if a boat comes to close i'll cut in front of your bow.

Only once has a flae came out to a yottie, and when he saw me aim at his main sail did he alter course,,,,,,, fast.

If boats of any kind come close to my divers ( and i watch you by radar as well ) , you will get chased away.... MY DUTY AS SKIPPER is to look after my divers above or below the water.

More to the point is , that boaters should be aware of RULES 5 & 6

[/ QUOTE ] Child!

Found this on the web - public domain so can be posted here.

Taurus Diving

"TAURUS DIVING LIMITED

tel: 07976 314272

Skipper : ANDY NYE

Andy has been bought up with Search & Rescue from a very early age from having his father serving as a coastguard for 28 years, this makes him very safety mined when it comes to boats and divers, and has assisted the coastguard in the past for searches at sea. His aim is to promote diver safety within the Dover Straits."

Anyone feel like calling him up and explaining their opinion of him what with his threats and all? (Checking it is the correct guy before hand of course)
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“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo
 
Re: Flag ALPHA

If anyone aimed a flare at me I would pass all information onto the police.

A flare is a lethal weapon and should be treated as such.

I sympathise with Dive Safety boat skippers having to deal with boats wandering too close but suggest that pointing a flare is equal to pointing a shotgun but with greater lethal range. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I think the MCA /Policewould take a dim view of this type of threat.) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Re: Flag ALPHA

[ QUOTE ]
If anyone aimed a flare at me I would pass all information onto the police.

A flare is a lethal weapon and should be treated as such.

I sympathise with Dive Safety boat skippers having to deal with boats wandering too close but suggest that pointing a flare is equal to pointing a shotgun but with greater lethal range. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I think the MCA /Policewould take a dim view of this type of threat.) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]Fully agree. report the child, have him charged and have his commercial ticket taken off him for life. Divers need to learn to stay close to their cover boats when in areas frequented by other vessels
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“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
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