Hiya
Thats scary!!!!! Looks like its just a matter of time until somebody gets hurt!!
Here, it has now become law that anybody puting to sea/river/dam/estuary, in a power driven vessel, MUST have a skippers ticket.
From my understanding, the diver down flag (Red with a white diagonal stripe) was used to show that a diver is below the surface, whilst the Alpha flag (white and blue) is intended to protect the vessel. The Alpha flag is internationally meant to mean : "I have a diver down; This boat is restricted in its ability to maneuver, so keep clear and keep to a slow speed"
The problem with REASONABLE distance is that it varies for each person. I still think that reporting a vessel to the autorities is the way to go. Better to educate the ignorant boater's than have somebody injured!!
When i just started diving, i had another spearo drive OVER me in 3m of water!!! This was with me displaying a float in a dead flat calm sea. Scared the daylights out of me!!! Just goes to show, how even experienced guys can still be ignorant!!
Regards
miles
