Stephens Media
Stephens Media
Power boat operators will have to pass a safety course in order to man the helm in state waters under a new rule approved Friday by the Board of Land and Natural Resources.
DLNR Chairman William Aila Jr. and long-time boaters testified in favor of the rule change, as did boating safety instructors from the Hawaii Sail and Power Squadron, according to the Land Board. They reportedly emphasized the need for better informed boaters to prevent accidents and fatalities as population and congestion on the ocean increases — and the importance of understanding how to behave around protected marine species.
“There are more of us in the ocean today,”Aila said. “It is increasingly more crowded as people are diving and paddling farther from shore. We are experiencing more and more fatal accidents in our waters. It’s the right time to raise awareness about the growth of the number of people using our waters to recreate and make sure everyone operating a vessel understands the rules of the road. The department is working diligently to create an education requirement that improves safety for the entire ocean-user community yet is simple and reasonable for all boaters to comply with.”
However, not everyone thought the rule was needed. Nearly 90 Big Island residents opposed the requirements during a Department of Land and Natural Resources hearing in May at the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor.
Under the new rule, seasoned boaters will be able to take equivalency exams if they feel they already understand the standard rules of the road. For new boaters, an online course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, which takes three to fours hours of instruction to complete. Costs for these courses vary; however, one free course is currently available that would satisfy the proposed requirement, according to DLNR.
Those wanting more detailed instruction can take a classroom course from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or the local U.S. Power Squadron organizations. These classes require, on average, a 12-hour commitment, but provide the student with much more practical knowledge that can make a difference in emergency situations, DLNR stated.
Statistics have shown mandatory boating safety education has reduced recreational boating fatality rates in states that have had the requirement the longest, DLNR stated.
DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation has paid more than $860,000 in the last 10 years to remove boats that ran aground or sank in state waters.
“This does not include the damage to our coral reefs from vessels running aground and the littering of our shorelines with the debris from battered boats,” Aila said. “Completion of a safety education course benefits everybody because it means improved safety, and less marine debris and hazardous materials in our waters and marine life.”
The new rule will:
l require a vessel operator to successfully complete a NASBLA and state-approved boating safety course to operate legally a motor vessel;
l require anyone operating a motor vessel who is under 16 years old to be accompanied and supervised by an adult 21 years or older who holds the required boater safety education certificate;
l establish a fine between $50 and $1,000 for violators; exempt those possessing a valid license to operate a vessel issued for maritime personnel by the U.S. Coast Guard;
l exempt operators of vessels in Hawaii’s waters who voyage here from outside the state and remain in state waters less than 60 calendar days;
l exempt vessel renters who receive a safety briefing from a boat livery operator approved by the state;
l and go into effect 24 months after the rule is signed by the governor.
There is an exemption for vessels powered with motors under 10 horsepower and rental boats, as long as the operator receives a safety briefing approved by the state.