Subdivision 1. Flag required. (a) A person who swims in waters of the state, except designated swimming areas under section 86B.311, subdivision 4, while wearing or carrying a breathing apparatus allowing the swimmer to breathe while under water, except a snorkel that is not attached to an artificial container of compressed air, must display a diver's flag above the surface of the water.
(b) A person who places a diver's flag must remain within 50 feet of the flag, measured on the surface of the water.
(c) A person shall not place a diver's flag where it will obstruct navigation.
(d) A diver's flag shall measure at least 15 inches horizontally and 12 inches vertically, and both sides shall have a red-colored background bisected diagonally by a three-inch-wide white stripe having its upper end adjacent to the flagstaff.
(e) A diver's flag shall be displayed in a vertical plane extended from a rigid flagstaff equipped to maintain the upper edge of the flag at least 30 inches above the water surface.
(f) A diver's flag may be reflectorized or fluorescent provided the entire surface is uniformly reflectorized or fluorescent.
(g) A diver's flag may be anchored or secured to the bottom when a safety hazard would result from towing the flag.
(h) If at the discretion of the diver it would be safer and more visible, the flag may be displayed on a watercraft. If the flag is displayed on the watercraft, the craft must be at anchor or, if not at anchor, attended by a diver or a person appointed by the diver to tend the craft. Only watercraft displaying an official diver's flag are authorized in the diving area.
Subd. 2. Group diving. (a) Not more than four divers may dive under one flag.
(b) If a group of divers is operating in a contained area, the perimeter must be marked and be outside of the normal area of navigation. The markings shall consist of the official diver's flag and be placed on the perimeter of the diving area at intervals not exceeding 150 feet.
Subd. 3. Light required for night diving. A person may not scuba or skin dive in waters of this state from one hour after sunset to sunrise on the following day unless the diver has in possession a diver's light that is visible from above the water at a distance of at least 150 feet, except that a diver's light is not required in an emergency, salvage, repair, or construction operation.
Subd. 4. Night diving with spear prohibited. A person may not scuba or skin dive while in possession of a spear from sunset to sunrise.
1990 c 391 art 9 s 34; 1992 c 464 art 1 s 12
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 85 - 87A — Recreation
Chapter 86B — Water Safety And Watercraft
Section 86B.001 — Water Use Policy.
Section 86B.005 — Definitions.
Section 86B.101 — Watercraft Safety Program.
Section 86B.105 — Sheriff's Safety Program.
Section 86B.106 — Barring Vehicles From Unsafe Ice.
Section 86B.107 — Removing Submerged Vehicles From State Waters.
Section 86B.111 — Navigation Markers And Buoys.
Section 86B.115 — Using Docks And Structures For Advertising.
Section 86B.121 — Races, Competitions, And Exhibitions.
Section 86B.125 — Leased Watercraft.
Section 86B.13 — Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program.
Section 86B.201 — State Law And Local Ordinance Authority.
Section 86B.205 — Water Surface Use Ordinance.
Section 86B.211 — Water Safety Rules.
Section 86B.301 — Watercraft Licenses Required.
Section 86B.305 — Youth Operators.
Section 86B.311 — General Rules For Operation.
Section 86B.313 — Personal Watercraft; Regulations.
Section 86B.315 — Towing Person On Water Skis Or Other Device.
Section 86B.321 — Noise Limits.
Section 86B.325 — Discharge From Marine Toilets Prohibited.
Section 86B.33 — Operating While Impaired.
Section 86B.335 — Testing For Alcohol And Controlled Substances.
Section 86B.341 — Duties And Liabilities At Accident Or Incident.
Section 86B.401 — Watercraft Licenses.
Section 86B.405 — Dealer's License.
Section 86B.411 — Government Watercraft Licenses.
Section 86B.415 — License Fees.
Section 86B.421 — Licensing By Political Subdivisions.
Section 86B.501 — Personal Flotation And Lifesaving Devices.
Section 86B.505 — Watercraft Capacity Plates.
Section 86B.515 — Sirens And Sound-producing Devices.
Section 86B.521 — Motorboat Noise Control.
Section 86B.525 — Device For Arresting Backfire.
Section 86B.531 — Fire Extinguishers And Fuel Area Ventilation.
Section 86B.532 — Carbon Monoxide Detection; System Requirements.
Section 86B.535 — Marine Toilets.
Section 86B.601 — Scuba Diving.
Section 86B.701 — Funding County Water Safety.
Section 86B.705 — Allocating Water Recreation Account, Fines, And Forfeited Bail Money.
Section 86B.706 — Water Recreation Account; Receipts And Purpose.
Section 86B.801 — Enforcement Authority.
Section 86B.805 — Enforcement Watercraft.
Section 86B.811 — Criminal Penalties.
Section 86B.815 — Violation As Evidence In Civil Action.
Section 86B.820 — Definitions.
Section 86B.825 — Certificate Of Title Required.
Section 86B.830 — Applying For And Issuing Certificate Of Title.
Section 86B.835 — Dealer Acquisition And Transfer.
Section 86B.840 — Transfer By Owner.
Section 86B.841 — Transfer-on-death Title To Watercraft.
Section 86B.845 — Temporary Watercraft Use Permits.
Section 86B.850 — Duplicate Certificate.
Section 86B.855 — Suspending Or Revoking Certificate.
Section 86B.860 — Responsibilities Of Commissioner.
Section 86B.875 — Inapplicable Liens And Security Interests.
Section 86B.880 — Security Interests.
Section 86B.885 — Owner-created Security Interest.
Section 86B.890 — Licensed Watercraft Previously Perfected.
Section 86B.895 — Satisfaction Of Security Interest.
Section 86B.900 — Disclosing Security Agreement.
Section 86B.905 — Effect Of Suspension Or Revocation On Security Interest.
Section 86B.910 — Undisclosed Security Interests.