From Alpha To Omega, Keeping Everyone Safe In The Water
Bill Ewan, President of the New England Masters who will host the 1-mile and 6+ mile Open Water Championships, will establish another safety protocol for the swimmers. “We will be flying the alpha flag on our kayaks. The alpha flag is the most accepted marker for swimmer in the water.”Over the past 200 years international maritime tradition and law has established a set of signal flags, including the blue-and-white swallow-tailed flag.
The International Code of Signals has established this alpha flag to mean, “I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.”
U.S. Coast Guard regulates its use in Rule 27e (Vessel Engaged in Diving Operations), “Whenever the size of a vessel engaged in diving operations makes it impracticable to exhibit all lights and shapes prescribed in this Rule, the following shall be exhibited:Three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white; a rigid replica of the International Code flag “A” not less than 1 meter in height. Measures shall be taken to ensure its all-round visibility.”
If the alpha flag is established and recognized internationally for divers who are mostly below the surface of the water, we agree with Bill that it makes a whole lot of sense for swimmers on the surface of the water at all times.
NOTE: Other flags used in the open water swimming world are noted here.
Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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