Dive Flag Laws

[LKunze]

I'll admit myself and my buddies have been guilty of it not towing a flag on the Madeira but only when diving with a large group where there is at least one dive flag tied off on the wreck already. 

I think the issue is the added hassle of towing the flag around when doing dives to 100 feet or more and particularly when the wave action in Superior can cause a lot of tugging on the line along with increased drag at deeper depths.  It can cause more fatigue and raise your air consumption as well.

Regardless of whether I bring a flag or not to the site I always carry a lift bag/surface marker that can be shot from a safe depth prior to ascent to indicate our location.  Dive boats are going to recognize a surface marker or bag that shoots up from below the surface out of nowhere.  I doubt you are going to find any non-dive boats or fishing boats hanging out over the Madeira site. 

I do think that regardless of the amount of divers on the wreck there really should be at least one dive flag over the site to indicate divers in the water.  It may not be the legal or correct approach but that's just my opinion.