Diving Requirements in Maryland

Anyone engaging in skin or scuba diving is required to display the diver-down flag.

The diver-down flag is red with a white diagonal stripe and must be displayed on the surface of the water (on a buoy, boat or other floating platform) by any person or group of persons engaged in diving.

Vessels involved in a day-time diving operation must display a white and blue alfa flag. At night, vessels must display navigation lights 360 degrees red on top, white in the middle, red on the bottom. The flag or lights indicate that the vessel is involved in a diving activity and has restricted maneuverability.

Motorized vessels must not approach within 100 feet from diver-down flags on inland waters, and at least 300 feet away in bays and open waters.