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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, May 23, 2009

Boaters urged to be safe over Memorial Day weekend


Advertiser Staff Writer

State enforcement officers will be monitoring boating activity in Kaneohe Bay this weekend and urge boaters and divers are urged to be safe on the water.
In addition, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources division of boating and ocean recreation will be present at the Heçeia Kea small boat harbor to provide information on boating rules, whistles and provide loaner life vests for keiki. Tomorrow and Monday, staff will do renewal vessel registrations.
Enforcement officers will be out to enforce safety equipment requirements, zone violations, boating under the influence laws and other laws.

Boaters must carry certain types of safety equipment as required by the U.S. Coast Guard, including life vests for everyone on board, visual distress signals, a sound producing device to signal oncoming boaters and appropriate running lights for times of limited visibility. In addition, boats going more than a mile off shore are required by law to be equipped with a VHF radio or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon.
The Kaneohe Bay Ocean Recreation Management Area has designated riding zones for personal watercraft and other ocean activities for safety reasons. Fines for violations of safety equipment range from $50 to $1,000.