For anchored boat dives, what is recommended to deploy?

• A. Extra air
• B. Surface marker buoy
• C. Trail line 30 meters long with a buoy at the end
• D. Dive flag

Answer: (C)

Starting with a reliable return path and surface visibility is essential when diving from an anchored boat. Deploying a trail line about 30 meters long from the anchor to the surface, with a buoy at the end, gives divers a continuous, easy-to-follow path back to the boat and provides a clear surface marker for the boat crew to locate and pick up divers. The line helps maintain orientation and reduces the risk of drifting away in currents or poor visibility, while the buoy signals exactly where to surface for a safe pickup. A surface marker buoy alone marks the site but doesn’t provide the navigable return route, and extra air or a dive flag don’t address the return-path and surface-pickup needs in this setup.