Diver down flag

As a code signal the International maritime signal flag Alpha (or "Alfa", signifying the letter "A") has the meaning of "I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed",[1] used to indicate that the vessel has limited maneuverability, and the presence of a diver in the water around the boat.

[citation needed] A rigid replica of the 'Alpha' flag is required to be displayed by any vessel engaged in diving operations when restricted in her ability to maneuver, if the size of the vessel makes it impractical to display the shapes and lights required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS) Rule 27.

[2][3] The use of the red and white flag, which was created in the early 1950s by Navy veteran Denzel James "Doc" Dockery of Michigan, and popularized by Ted Nixon of US Divers,[4] is required by law or regulation in many US states, Canada,[5] and some other countries (e.g.

[6] Usually the regulations require divers to display the flag while diving and to stay within a specified area when they are near the surface.

Rock band Van Halen used the red and white flag as the cover art of their 1982 album Diver Down.