Your Help please on an urgent matter!!!

mitchc

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Finally a break in the weather allowed me and some friends to go out and enjoy some diving.

As I quite enjoy sitting in the sun relaxing whilst my mates go diving, I was skipper of our 6mtrs bright orange RIB for the weekend. It’s usually a nice and peaceful once all the noisy divers have submerged, and hence very relaxing.

Not this weekend though!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Despite flying this flag:
AlphaDive_Flag1.gif
: Diving operations are indicated by flying one of two nationally recognized "Diver Down" flags, or navigation lights if at night. Either signifies a danger area. Stay well clear of diving operations because divers can easily stray from the diving vessel. The key point indicated by this flag is the vessel is restricted in the ability to manoeuvre.

I had to put the RIB in the way of at least six boats, both power and sail to prevent them running over my divers. All our divers use orange or red surface marker “sausages”.

This may get boring but I’d like anyone who reads this to take note of the following:

BBC Accident report
MCA accindent report Scary huh?

Two incidents at the weekend stand out and the stupidity of the skippers take some believing: first green and white sail boat using engine power only got to within two boats lengths before my shouting got his attention. He turned away, without any sign of apology! I asked/shouted if he knew what the dive flag meant, he ignored me. I shouted if he would like to apologise; he raised his hand a few inches and continued on his way!!!!

Second incident: Big aluminium catamaran, which unfortunately appeared to be a dive charter boat. Speed probably 20knts, with huge wake (would have made a great photo!) Despite me waving and putting the RIB in his way, the boat made only small changes of course and didn’t reduce speed. His passengers were waving at him to change course. He eventually passed within 25mtrs of one of my diving pairs, who were only 3 mtrs below the surface completing their decompression stops!
Unfortunately I was too busy trying to avoid being rammed to make note of the boat name, even though it wasn't very clearly marked on the hull! When I find out it will be reported to the MCA
Surely if a boat is in your path waving and shouting you'd slow down to check what's up.....wouldn't you? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Can you mention this to all your boating friends, if it stops once diver getting turned in fish food, it'll be worth it!

Thanks
Mitch
(sorry about the multiple posting!)
 

lovezoo

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Re: alpha flag

I think the problem is that if you are stationary in the water, other boats tend to come over to have a look. You can go to a bay that has no other boats in it, stop to go kneeboarding for example, and within minutes you will be surrounded by boats. I think a megaphone is a good solution so you can shout at them to [--word removed--] off!
 

mitchc

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Re: alpha flag

about a mtr sqaure, on a 1 mtrs flag pole on the A frame.
with a manically waving skipper thrown in for good measure!
 

mitchc

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Re: alpha flag

i think the problem is the lack common sense shown by some boaters.
As much as we all want un-regulated boating maybe a teensy bit of informal education in certain areas could work....?
 

Sundays_Child

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Re: alpha flag

One of my friends went into intensive care after being bashed on the head by an un-registered one-eyed skipper when surfacing, with flags and buoys marking the dive zone. Caved in part of his skull.

Years ater he had two tumours removed, seeded by skull shrapnel from the accident.

Not nice.
 

Andrew_Fanner

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Re: alpha flag

[ QUOTE ]
about a mtr sqaure, on a 1 mtrs flag pole on the A frame.
with a manically waving skipper thrown in for good measure!

[/ QUOTE ]

Was the flag stretched out or hanging limply? Couple of diving friends have a grp pole along the top of the Alpha that ensures the full size displays vertically in calm airs.
 

DAKA

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It is a great idea of yours to remind everyone of the flag.

I too have experienced problems when diving.

One boat on top of me that I then had to help off the rocks, I thought I was safe !

I have realised now how stupid it is to dive on busy tracks at busy times.

I would not dive on a 2 mile wide track from the Needles to Cherbourg .

I avoid dives during busy weekend times.
Of course we have the right to dive when and where we like but
I also enjoy cycle rides but I wouldnt cycle on the A1 or anywhere during rush hour.
 

mitchc

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Re: alpha flag

when i motor slowly forward, which I always do when there are other boats in the area, it streams out behind the boat so is visible.....
 

DAKA

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Re: alpha flag

As you motor towards the boat is will not be visible from ahead !

I try to manoeuvre to catch the oncoming boat on my port side so they turn away.
 

mitchc

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Re: alpha flag

[ QUOTE ]
As you motor towards the boat is will not be visible from ahead !

I try to manoeuvre to catch the oncoming boat on my port side so they turn away.

[/ QUOTE ]

exactly!!! so they can see the flag and are the give way vessel
 

DAKA

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Re: alpha flag

Not exactly.

We are in agreement but I dont rely on the flag.

The time I surfaced with a boat on top of me they were either trying to steel my RIB or trying to tie to it .......my flag is always erect




I had moored to an Isolated danger marker and I thought I was safe.
 

LordJohn

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I think this makes the case for compulsory training. I can't understand why many of the boating magazines and many boaters have a problem with this. Only a grossly irresponsibe person would take a boat to sea without completing an appropriate training course so why the objections. The irresponsible ones need to be forced to accept training to make all our lives safer and theirs more enjoyable.
 

mitchc

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no no no no no not training just education.
Posts like this, maybe a small article in the magazines, but not compulsory training.
Once the government get hold of us it will ruin our already expensive and slightly restrictive hobbies/past times!
Please delete you post quicly before any one else sees it and jumps on the band wagon!
 

Lakesailor

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Quite. Look how gas fitters have graduated from a single CORGI qualification to one for every type of appliance they work on. I know plumbers who dropped the gas side of their business because of the cost and time involved in certification.
 
D

Deleted User YDKXO

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I always keep a good lookout in known diving areas and steer well clear of any boats that remotely look like they're dive boats whether they're flying the A flag or not.
But I have to ask whether dive boats and their operators put their customers at risk but plonking themselves in busy areas on busy days. For example, is it wise to put divers in the water on a sunny Sunday afternoon in the Durlston Head/St Albans Head area when there is likely to be so much boating traffic around? In the Med, particularly the SoF, there are clearly marked diving areas often marked by buoys where everybody knows diving takes place and boats keep clear but in the UK it seems a free for all. I have no idea why anyone should want to voluntarily throw themselves into the E Channel anyway /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

mitchc

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cause unfortunatly that's were the best dive sites are: calmer inshore seas, 10-25 mtrs depth, loads of natural light(sometimes) loads of fish/marine life. Exactly the same part of the sea where most boats and skippers want to be. It's just that clonking into a diver usually doesn't hurt the boat! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 

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