UK regs on boat traffice and buoys?

[Spaniard]

Can anyone tell me if there are definitive regulations with respect to how close a boat can approach a diver/freedivers surface marker buoy (SMB)? I was fishing off Beer, Devon about 200m off beach this weekend with an orange SMB with Blue/white flag. Whilst surfacing from a dive I realised that some t**t in a speedboat was about to decapitate me even though I surfaced right next to my bouy. He realised that he had very nearly hit me and switched off his engines. There followed a very heated exchange with him claiming that I shouldn't be so far out from shore and me telling him that boats are supposed to respect a diver-down bouy and keep distance. I was so mad I nearly shot the idiot with my Omer Excalibur and he was eventually persuaded by his mates on the boat to clear off. Was I in the right and if so where can I find the appropriate regulations??? I'll laminate these and stick them on my buoy!!!!

[UK Spearo]

funny you should say that - I got hit by a jet ski last summer at Ringstead (in a comp). Simliar exchange of words - my fault for being there etc etc! Had several weeks of phisio on my back after that! I wrote to the local MP and Coast Guard - MP (Jim Knight) said wasnt his probelm but one for the Weymouth and Portland BC (that HE heads!) and no reply from the coast guard at all!

[Alison]

The trouble is that most of the people who use ski boats/jet ski's etc dont have the first clue what any flags mean let alone what action they should take when they see one. What needs to be done is some sort of qualification scheme like a drivers licence/test so that they "have" to at least read the seaway code at least once in their lives!
Clive I hope your back is better by the way, I know you know your lucky it was a jet ski not a 240Hp Mercruiser that hit you but it must have been a hell of a shock! Has the BSA acted on your behalf as an organisation rather than you as an individual?

[Spaniard]

I'm going to shoot the next idiot, then the word will get around to avoid SMB's There must be some kind of regulation in the UK with the amount of bubblers about?

[UK Spearo]

HI Alison, Yeah the BSA did investigate it, but there not much I could have done - I should have reported it to the Police! Yeah my back is much better now thanks.... just got to keep it loose by diving )

The yet ski guy spoke to me with a Bristol accent... so probably not a regular sea user (thats not to tar all Bristol people with the same brush though!!!). I agree, the rest of Euope has to do a test before your allowed on the water (like a driving test for the water) and apparently it's not easy! The fact that anyone can climb aboard a vessal thats capable of doing 70mph (I'm told some jet skies can do this) with out knowing what there doing is scary! (I don't think theres even an age limit, but I might be wrong on that).

[Alison]

No you're right there is no legislation I'm aware of regarding age, Ive seen 10 year olds using them here honestly! There is a local police jet ski about but it has to cover the whole of north wales so its not very effective. Our local beach has a boat lane so that there is a specific place for powered boats to launch and to be fair it is well used but there are a good few (always jet skiers) who insist on running parralel with the beach in shallow water where children are swimming
Spaniard, Im sure there is some regulation, pick up a copy of the seaway code or whatever its called these days, I must admit its been a while since I saw one but then we dont have a boat!

[Old Man Dave]

Give me a big petrol speedboat or jet ski any day of the week. It's the windsurfer/sailboarders I fear. You can't hear them coming. They also go 20knts + and as far as I can tell they can't see where they're going most of the time.
In my experience most boat owners don't know what an "A" flag means. Try and write "divers" as large as possible on your SMB.
Don't threaten any one with a speargun, no matter what the provication, it will only lead to us all suffering if they start treating spearguns in the way firearms, airguns and even BB's are going.
All of this is a sign of the times and aint going to get better. A sharp lookout is the only real answer. But remember there is no point in being right if you're dead.
Dave

[UK Spearo]

I agree with Old man - don't ever even point you spear gun at someone (even unloaded!)!...For some reason I never heard the jet ski (normally I do) and get out of there way....

[octopus]

I have heard of 30m radius around the diving buoy...in Croatia. I have treid using a buoy once. It was even worse than without any marker. Every boat in vicinity would change direction and approach it to see what it is.
I try not to dive in areas with lots of traffic.

[DeepThought]

Sounds to me like there's a niche in the market for a boat/ski/windsurfer detergent.

I suggest a buoy that looks like a glowing, leaking radioactive waste barrel.
You can leave your dead fish floating around it for full effect.

More practical suggestions are welcome.

[Alison]

Been surfing this one for a while and this is the best I have found! Interesting to say the least
Divers Flags 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.http://www.ukdivers.com/images/MarFlags/a.gif International Code Flag "A" has several uses, one of which is to designate diving operations. The Inland Rules specifically require a boat, when engaged in diving operations and thus restricted in its ability to maneuver, to display a rigid replica of the International Code Flag "A". Exhibiting this signal invokes a special right-of-way of this vessel over essentially all other vessels. The key point is restricted in the ability to maneuver.

Code Flag "A" is used only on a vessel. It should never be displayed on a diver's float, or raft.

However, it is the practice of nationals of other countries to use the Code Flag "A" instead of the flag shown below. If the Code Flag "A" is seen on a diver's float or raft it should be treated as meaning: Caution - Diver Down. http://www.ukdivers.com/images/MarFlags/diver.gif

A red square flag with a diagonal white stripe is also an accepted and recognized signal meaning: Caution - Diver Down. This flag is used on a vessel or on a diver's float, buoy, or raft to indicate diving operations. When divers are swimming free of the vessel, this would be the logical flag to use. The flag should be exhibited in rigid form.

[grahamfoster]

I think you'll find most Jet Ski-ers are pretty well clued up about the rules of the water and know what all the flags/regs are:
Diver down flag = slalom pole
Fishing boat = something to go up to and do a big turn
Swimming area = drag strip
Moorings = good place to tow a fellow tosser in a rubber ring

I hate jet ski's with a passion

They are all driven by the same type of chav scum bag with enough cash to go out and be annoying.

I once came up dead in the middle of the wake of jet ski - i was only a few meters from the rocks and miles away from where they launch. I didn't hear it coming and the first I heard of it was the noise of it going away. You won't hear or see the one that hits you.

Yesterday a boat came within 5m of me despite having a float. This was on a supposedly quite stretch of coast. I few minuits later a gin palace towing a banana passed my buddy too close for comfort. Had to hug the rocks in the end where there were no fish. Discretion is the better part of valour though - 'he had the correct flag up' is of little comfort chiseled on a toombstone.

I am generally agains't excess rules and regs but in the case of Jet-ski's and clueless pleasure craft I'm all for it. They should all have to pass a proper test - i wonder how many people will have to be killed or seriously injured before it happens though...

[Old Man Dave]

DeepThought
I like your style. How about an imitation sewer outfall, complete with plastic turds, used jonnies and a few of those little furry mice with tails? Or how about an imitation second world war mine, one of those with horns sticking out? An inflatable doll complete with Maggie Thatcher mask? The possibilities are endless.

[DeepThought]

I think we can find some old WWII mines on e-bay. (does someone know how to arm them?)
A large sign saying "Danger!! bomb test area, clear 5 miles away!"
How about A sea monster's head with a human arm dangling from it's mouth? or a toll booth? with a sign saying:"Jetski license inspection".

[grahamfoster]

I think for the type jet-skier we get round here a flag with "benefit fraud office" or "social services" written on would do the trick