Snorkeling equipment: the signal buoy

At a time when motorboating is becoming increasingly popular and jet skis are invading our shores, it's crucial to ensure maximum visibility, even when the 300-meter zone is duly marked.
The disregard or ignorance of navigation rules (often observed), and the thoughtlessness of some pilots, should encourage us to always use a marker buoy fitted with a regulation flag. Just like fastening your seatbelt before starting your car.

A small lead for anchoring, a reel for adjusting the length of the line, a Velcro strap for attaching equipment.

At the time of going to press, there is no specific legislation governing snorkellers, so we have to follow the example of scuba divers and spearfishermen.
And adopt the signal buoy as a compulsory part of our equipment.

Prefectoral decrees of July and August 1988 :
"The signals that must be shown to indicate the presence of divers are :
For ships: the lights and markings prescribed by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, and in particular the alpha flag of the International Code of Signals (rigid white and blue flag, at least 0.50 m in vertical dimension and visible over the entire horizon).
For solo divers: the red flag with a white Saint Andrew's cross or the red flag with a white diagonal.
The circulation of all vessels and floating devices, windsurfers and motorized beach equipment is prohibited (if navigation conditions permit) within a 100 m radius of a signal marking the presence of divers".

Decree of July 11, 1990 on recreational underwater fishing:
"Any person practicing recreational underwater fishing must signal his presence by means of a buoy enabling him to identify his position, the characteristics of which are set by order of the Minister of Maritime Fisheries.

You pull the buoy with a floating line no more than twenty-five meters long. The line is attached to the buoy and ends in a sinker that you can place on the bottom.
When swimming, hold the sinker in your hand or slip it under your belt. When you decide to stop at an interesting spot, you place the sinker on the bottom and can then move around the buoy, staying within twenty-five metres.
A small winder or reel allows you to adjust the length of your line as you wish.
Your buoy (or board) is like a backpack for you! You can take lots of things with you on a trip: species identification sheets, a camera, a drawing pad, a waterproof case for your keys (the body of an old waterproof lamp will do just fine), an energy bar and a small bottle of water.
Mind you, it's you who'll have to pull the heavy buoy, which is suddenly less hydrodynamic.

Emmanuelle Levasseur, Julien Collet