(a) Any boats used as diver stations, diver support boats, or diver supply boats shall display the divers-down flag from their mast or flag staff during the dive. The divers-down flags shall be no smaller than twenty inches (20″) by twenty-four inches (24″). Divers not associated with the boats shall display a divers-down flag no smaller than twelve inches (12″) by twelve inches (12″).
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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 69-9-402

  • Boat: means any vessel:
    (A) Manufactured or used primarily for noncommercial use. See Tennessee Code 69-9-204
  • Diver: means any person who is wholly or partially submerged in the waters of the state and who is equipped with a face mask and snorkel or underwater breathing apparatus. See Tennessee Code 69-9-204
  • Divers-down flag: means a free-flying flag, red in color, with a white diagonal stripe that begins at the top staff-side corner of the flag and extends to the lower opposite corner. See Tennessee Code 69-9-204
(b) After dark, divers shall illuminate divers-down flags to make them visible from at least three hundred feet (300′).
(c) At all times such divers-down flags shall be visible from three hundred sixty degrees (360°).
(d) This section shall apply only to waterways customarily used by boat traffic.
(e) Violations of this section shall be punished as follows:

(1) First offense, a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00);
(2) Second offense, a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00); and
(3) Third offense, a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
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