Connecticut § 15-135 - Position of scuba divers to be marked. Safe operating distance for vessels.
Full text of Connecticut Connecticut General Statutes § 15-135 — Position of scuba divers to be marked. Safe operating distance for vessels., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 15-135. Position of scuba divers to be marked. Safe operating distance for vessels.
Sec. 15-135. Position of scuba divers to be marked. Safe operating distance for vessels. (a) No person shall engage in underwater swimming or diving using a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus or other artificial breathing device in any state or federal water without marking his position with a clearly discernible flag, buoy or other device which the commissioner approves or prescribes. No person when so engaged shall surface more than fifty feet from such marker, except in cases of emergency.
(b) Not more than four persons shall use the same marking device simultaneously, except when engaged in underwater swimming or diving from an anchored boat displaying such marking device, in which case the number of persons using the same marking device shall be limited to the legal capacity of such boat.
(c) No person shall operate a vessel or cause any person on water skis to pass within one hundred feet of a device marking the location of an underwater swimmer or diver.
(d) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
(1961, P.A. 520, S. 15; P.A. 76-381, S. 25; P.A. 77-190; P.A. 93-238, S. 5.)
History: P.A. 76-381 added Subsec. (c) making violation an infraction; P.A. 77-190 replaced “commission”, i.e. boating commission, with “commissioner”, i.e. environmental protection commissioner, inserted new Subsec. (b) re multiple use of marking device and relettered Subsecs. (b) and (c) as (c) and (d); P.A. 93-238 amended Subsec. (c) to increase the safe operating distance for vessels to dive markers from 50 to 100 feet.
Source: official Connecticut text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Connecticut § 15-135
What does Connecticut General Statutes § 15-135 cover?
Section 15-135 ("Position of scuba divers to be marked. Safe operating distance for vessels.") is part of the Connecticut General Statutes, the codified statutory law of Connecticut. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Connecticut § 15-135?
A common citation format is "Connecticut General Statutes § 15-135" (Connecticut). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Connecticut law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Connecticut official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Connecticut attorney.
How does Connecticut § 15-135 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Connecticut can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Connecticut.