I spotted this blue and white flag, known on the
International maritime signal flags list as the 'Alpha' flag, floating around in the water near the crossover bridge at the marina. The Alpha flag indicates an area where there are
divers below . It was only when we walked around and over the bridge that I could see these dive students from the
Perth Diving Academy participating in a scuba class. In the US, Canada and Italy the
diver down flag is red with a white diagonal stripe, in UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and some parts of Europe the blue and white Alpha flag is used. I think on some occasions 'everywhere' they are both used as 'double protection'. The two flags will hopefully to the job of protecting divers from cruising vessels above the water, it's what's below the water that worries me more.
I wouldn't have known what this was! Interesting information! I bet it was fun seeing all those heads pop up out of the water.
ReplyDeleteGrace - You should have saved these photos for a "Watery Wednesday" meme posting! Ha!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what they discovered under the water?
The closest I've come to this is snorkeling in Cozumel, Mexico and it was the absolutely the most fun ever! So beautiful! I were younger -- a lot younger! I'd be wanting to do this! Love your captures as always! Hope you have a great day!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I had forgotten about the flag...I had to know that when we took our boating course before we bought our boat...nice shots!
ReplyDeleteBonjour Grace. Thank you for stopping by Chez French Girl today, and for your kind comment! What a fun post! This definitely puts me in the mood for summer... and boating! ;-) I started taking my digital photography class and looked at your photos with a more critical eye. What can I say? I am impressed. I particularly like the first one, and the way you showed off the flag... Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
ReplyDeleteI've seen these flags in the waters off the Florida coast and usually they are respected but I've seen boats run right over them! Not good!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Grace.
ReplyDeleteI would never have known. Good thing I don't drive a boat!
ReplyDeleteyou have caught the blue color so beautifully....
ReplyDeleteJust from my observations, I thought they were targets for jet skis.
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty cool. The first time I took a brief lesson (off Cairns), put my whole head under water and tried to take a breath my brain screamed at me to stop. It was worth it, though, when I calmed down and the instructor took us 10 m down over the powdered-sugar bottom.
ReplyDeleteBrave souls. Nice shots.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a Bonza idea. I've learnt something new today, well done :-).
ReplyDeletec'est tres agreable de faire de la plongee sous marine. en voyant tes photos, cela me donne envie
ReplyDeleteRather them than me! I get in enough trouble on dry land.
ReplyDeleteOh I knew what this was... Except that some idiots here dive WITHOUT a flag and I almost killed somebody one day. How am I supposed to know there is a diver if there is no buoy? Grrrr, it was one of the worst scares of my life.
ReplyDeleteglub
ReplyDeleteAloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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Despite the precautions many accidents happen to divers, we must respect the warning signs!
ReplyDeleteElettra is right - I believe there may be more accidents on the surface than down below.
ReplyDeleteThanks Grace, I will look out for the divers if I see a flag like this. I can handle snorkeling but scuba diving is not for me.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to learn something new- looks like a fun dive too.
ReplyDeleteChrissy from Manchester: a photo a day at Mancunian Wave
A diving school?
ReplyDeleteA school not of fish, but of students!
ReplyDeleteI'd drop a sign with 'Warning sharks' into the water to see what would happen.
ReplyDeleteI thought the divers below flag was red and white, but you are showing a blue and white flag.
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ReplyDeleteIndeed the divers down flag should be square of red and white !
ReplyDeleteScuba diving is so cool! I especially like the 3rd shot. Great capture, Grace.
ReplyDeleteThat always looks like such fun... always wanted to!
ReplyDeleteVery nice, Grace. Love to see the scuba divers! I'm a certified divemaster and miss being underwater.
ReplyDeleteThey all look really young! I've never tried it but would love to try some day :D
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