Texas dive laws

[russp]

OK, say I want to go diving without the drive to Clear Springs or Athens; what are the laws regarding just jumping in a local lake (Grapevine, White Rock, Lewisville, whatever)? In some states, this seems regulated by Parks and Wildlife; others by the state maritime board, but I can't find anything relating to this for Texas. Anyone have an answer or a place to look them up?

[finflippers]

Diver-Down Flags

• Scuba divers or snorkelers must display a diver-down flag to mark their diving area.
• Vessels must remain at least 50 feet away from the flag. If they have to approach the diving area, vessel operators must have permission from the person who placed the flag or the vessel displaying the flag.
• Outside of 50 feet, vessel operators must operate at headway speed out to a distance of 150 feet away from the flag.

http://www.boat-ed.com/tx/handbook/flags.htm

[finflippers]

No swimmer or diver may come within 200 yards of a sight-seeing or excursion boat except for maintenance purposes or unless within an enclosed area.

http://www.dive-flag.com/Texas.html

[mm_dm]

Good post Finflippers. I wish we could get this info into boat owners hands, as it is so often ignored on Texas lakes (with the exception of Lake Travis, where I have personally seen it enforced). Maybe flyers on the windshields of cars hauling a boat trailer with some the basic info?

[finflippers]

Originally Posted by mm_dm

Good post Finflippers. I wish we could get this info into boat owners hands, as it is so often ignored on Texas lakes (with the exception of Lake Travis, where I have personally seen it enforced). Maybe flyers on the windshields of cars hauling a boat trailer with some the basic info?

We have the same problem here. I can not count how many times my dive flag has been used as a race buoy or something with boats and jet skies above me.

I like the fliers on the windshields idea I might have to try that but it would be alot better if law enforcement would just drop out a few divers down flags and get the boaters that can not share the lakes with us off the water.

[russp]

Hey Finflippers, the dive-flag.com posting seems to be exactly what I'm after. I just wish the links on it were still active but I'll try to get to the Parks and Wildlife chapters it refers some other way. From what I see so far, you can dive about any where as long as you post a dive flag.

[finflippers]

Parks and Wildlife chapters

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/...O_DOC_TEXT=YES

There may be other restrictions also. Most places restrict you from being within the area of a boat ramp or dam structure.

[Hemlon]

Great info, finflippers!

Thank you for posting it.

[finflippers]

Originally Posted by Hemlon

Great info, finflippers!

Thank you for posting it.

I am glad to help any way I can. With ScubaToys being in Texas Larry might know all the diving laws by heart. Try shooting him a PM and he might be able to give you better information then I have been able to find.

[Hemlon]

Originally Posted by finflippers

I am glad to help any way I can. With ScubaToys being in Texas Larry might know all the diving laws by heart. Try shooting him a PM and he might be able to give you better information then I have been able to find.

It doesn't really apply to me as most of my fresh water dives are at Windy Point or Mansfield Dam.

I just thought it was nice that you posted it.