HAR §13-256-16. §13-256-16 Thrill craft operations; general provisions

(a) No person under fifteen years of age shall operate a thrill craft. No person shall permit, or mislead another person into permitting, a person under fifteen years of age to operate a thrill craft. (b) No person shall operate thrill craft within a marine life conservation district or marine natural area reserve. (c) Thrill craft operations shall be curtailed in certain designated areas as described in subchapters two through eleven as necessary, to: (1) Avoid possible adverse impacts on humpback whales or other protected marine life; (2) Provide for increased public access; (3) Reduce user conflicts; and (4) Promote overall public safety. (d) Effective January 2005, all recreational thrill craft operators shall be required to possess, and make available upon demand of enforcement personnel, a certificate of completion from a state approved course on the safe use and operation of a thrill craft. The State may recognize reciprocity with other states, i.e., the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved portion of the personal water craft course; however, all operators shall be required to complete the portions of a certificate course for Hawaii that includes, but is not limited to: (1) Local ocean safety principles and practices; (2) The historical, cultural, and customary practices of Hawaii's ocean users; and (3) Any rules or laws pertaining to protected species and thrill craft operation in the State. (e) All thrill craft operators and passengers shall be required to wear a personal flotation device in accordance with section 13-243-1. (f) All persons holding or receiving a certificate of completion under this section are exempt from section 13-244-15.5 for purposes of operating thrill craft. [Eff 2/24/94; am 7/5/2003; am 1 3305 §13-256-16 DEC 31 2018 ] (Auth: HRS §§200-22, 200-24) (Imp: HRS §§200-22, 200-24) 2 3305