Boats are required to fly these flags under WA state law. Here’s what they mean

Boating is a popular activity in Washington state — and there are rules everyone is required to follow on the water.

By law, most people are required to carry Boater Education Cards to operate vessels in Washington state. They must demonstrate knowledge of water navigation, required safety gear and boating regulations.

It’s helpful for everyone on board to know basic safety protocols as well. In fact, activities such as waterskiing and inner tubing require an additional boater to be on hand for safety measures.

Boaters use a series of flags, including skier down flags, to indicate what’s happening in the water.

Here’s you should know:

When to use skier down flags in Washington

If you’ve ever seen someone on a boat in Washington state holding a bright orange flag up in the air, it means there is someone recreating in the water.

These flags are required under state law.

Any vessel towing people on water skis, wakeboards, inner tubes, aquaplanes, kneeboards and similar devices is required to carry a skier down flag. There must be at least one other person besides the one operating the vessel on board at all times.

This boater is in charge of monitoring the status of people being towed in the water and reporting updates to the skipper.

They’re also in charge of the skier down flag. The flag must be “bright red or brilliant orange,” measure at least 12 inches by 12 inches and be mounted on a pole at least 25 inches long, according to Boat-Ed.com.

If the towed recreator is in the water after falling or while preparing to take off, the additional boater has to raise the flag so it is visible from all directions. Once the person is up or out of the water, the flag must be lowered.

Some personal watercraft allow for remote control navigation while towing a water skier. These vessels must have a skier down flag attached.

What do boat distress flags look like?

Skier down flags are not to be confused with another orange flag vessels may be equipped with.

Distress flags are a form of visual distress signals.

Most waterways require some combination of daytime and nighttime visual distress signals, which may include flares, electric distress lights and these flags.

There are two primary differences between distress flags and skier down flags: symbols and size.

Distress flags are orange with a black square and circle, while skier down flags have no symbols or markings. Distress flags must measure at least 3 feet by 3 feet, making them significantly larger than skier down flags.

Distress flags are particularly effective in sunlight, according to BoatUS Foundation.

How can I tell if there are divers in the water?

In Washington state, you may also see boats with flags indicating diving activity. Vessels with divers are federally required to communicate this activity to other boats using flags.

There are two types of diving-related flags. If you see either on a nearby vessel, be sure to give it plenty of space and exercise caution when navigating through the area.

A divers flag is a red rectangle with a white diagonal stripe. It indicates the presence of a submerged diver in the area, but does not meet the state or federal display requirements.

The International Code Flag A, also known as an Alfa or Alpha flag, is half blue and half white. It must measure at least a meter high and stay visible from all directions.

Alfa flags are required on all vessels with restricted maneuverability due to diving operations.

How do whale warning flags work?

While not legally required, you might also see whale warning flags flying from vessels.

These are part of the Be Whale Wise campaign, an effort to protect the dwindling killer whale population in Washington state.

State law requires boaters to stay at least 1,000 yards — about one nautical mile — away from Southern Resident killer whales.

If the whales are within 400 yards of your vessel, you are required to disengage your boat’s transmission, cease paddling or luff your sails until the whale moves away.

Once the marine mammals are farther than 400 yards, you can slowly move away while following a 7-knot speed limit.

Whale warning flags indicate whales within a kilometer of a vessel. If you see one, slow down to 7 knots or less.

This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Boats are required to fly these flags under WA state law. Here’s what they mean."