Posted on: Thursday, June 24, 2004

Coast Guard seeks to ease harbor security enforcement

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

The Coast Guard wants to ease enforcement of some security rules put in place around Hawai'i harbors following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

If approved, the changes would allow more access to some of the security zones in harbors across the state, except in times of heightened alert or when large ships are present.

The security zones, which restrict access to local mariners, were established in April 2003 to protect critical shipping and other harbor facilities.

Now, the Coast Guard says it wants to suspend enforcement of the rules at certain times and places to "minimize the disruption to maritime commerce and the inconvenience to small entities," like pleasure boaters and canoe clubs.

"We're not changing the size or scope of the security zones, but we're restructuring them to ease the burden on the boating public when it doesn't create a security threat," said Coast Guard Lt. Callie Thomas.

The security zones would be divided into two categories:

• Those like most of Honolulu Harbor and Barbers Point that would be subject to enforcement at all times.
• Those including Neighbor Island harbors that would be subject to enforcement only during heightened threat conditions or when any large cruise ship is in the area.

A complete version of the proposed rule changes is available in the May 20 federal register (www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html).