Posted on: Monday, February 28, 2005

Thrill-craft certification required

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Staff Writer

Operators of so-called thrill craft will now have to be certified under new state rules for jet-propelled personal watercraft.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources certification requirement took effect in January, but the state will not enforce it until a course that covers safety and water etiquette is approved, said Richard Rice, administrator for the DLNR Small Boat Program. That is expected in about two weeks.

The rules require that certification be obtained by an accredited institution of higher education.

"This is a sport that is dangerous. Not only can the operator get himself in trouble but if the operator doesn't know where he's going or what he's doing, he can cause damage to a swimmer or monk seal," Rice said.

There are 1,452 registered thrill craft in the state, according to Deborah Ward, DLNR spokeswoman.

Tow-in surfers must fulfill a similar course; Windward Community College offered one recently for $100.

Rice said he hasn't heard much objection over the new rule but expects to hear more once it is enforced. A course for personal users is expected to be approved within two weeks, he said.

"A few people, as they learn about it, will complain but the professionals don't complain," Rice said. "They know exactly what needs to be done."

Kathy Takahashi, manager for Seabreeze Watersports, said an ocean-safety course would benefit all people who use the ocean and she would have no problem complying with the new rule.

"There are a whole bunch of different elements that are in place when you're on the ocean and I think it's important people understand that so they don't hurt themselves or others," Takahashi said. "Quite often people just hop on a Jet Ski and go without understanding wave conditions, wind conditions and what happens if they fall off."

While the basic rules of boating are covered by courses offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the state course has the added requirement that operators also learn about local ocean safety principals; historical, cultural and customary practices of Hawai'i ocean users; and rules and laws pertaining to protected species and thrill craft operations in the state, said Ed Underwood, with DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.

"This adds another layer of safety," Underwood said. "It can't hurt at all."

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.