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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, May 25, 2009

State officials to enforce boating laws during holiday

Advertiser Staff

State enforcement officers will monitor boaters in Kane'ohe Bay on Memorial Day and are urging water safety.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources division of boating and ocean recreation also will be present at the He'eia Kea small-boat harbor to provide information on boating rules and whistles, and will loan life vests for keiki.

Enforcement officers will 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.