Diving Laws in New Jersey

Particular care must be taken when boating in waters where there are divers.

The diver-down flag is red with a white diagonal stripe and must be displayed on the surface of the water by any person or group of persons engaged in skin diving or scuba diving.

The diver-down flag must be displayed only when diving is in progress. Divers must surface within 25 feet of their buoyed flag, except in emergencies.

It is forbidden to operate a vessel within 50 feet of a diver-down flag. 

Divers should avoid diving in confined or narrow waterways, marked fairways, under bridges, and in areas where there are already many other boats so as to avoid obstructing other watercraft. 

Vessels operating on federally controlled waters must display a white and blue alpha flag. The flag indicates that diving operations are taking place in the area and that the vessel has restricted maneuverability.