Message for Hawaii boaters from NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Regional Office: NOAA Fisheries is announcing two rules to enhance the protection of Hawaiian spinner dolphins: A final rule that prohibits swimming with and approaching spinner dolphins within 50 yards or remaining within 50 yards of a Hawaiian spinner dolphin, including approach by interception. The prohibition ...
Read More New Rules To Protect Spinner Dolphins
Ocean Recreation Activities
BE AWARE OF YOUR REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Owners and operators of commercial vessels are required to relay information about a reportable marine casualty and accident to the US Coast Guard within 24 hours. Following a serious marine accident, drug testing may be required within 32 hours and alcohol testing may be required within two hours. The ...
Read More COMMERCIAL BOATING ACCIDENT REPORT REQUIREMENTS
Participants can register at: https://ce.uhcc.hawaii.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=43809 There is a prerequisite for signing up for this class. All participants must take a basic boating safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the State of Hawaii. Find out more about basic boating safety courses at: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/mandatory-boating-safety-education-qa/ Holders of Merchant Mariner ...
Read More Scheduled Thrill Craft Certification Classes
A NOTICE FOR OPERATORS OF SMALL BOATS <26′ Starting April 1st, 2021, operators of boats under 26′ long will be required to wear an engine cut-off switch link while riding on a plane or above displacement speed. Fines for non-compliance will start at $100. The Coast Guard will begin enforcing this law on 4/1/21 in ...
Read More New Federal Lanyard Law for Boats Under 26′
IF YOU’RE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR TURTLES, MAYBE YOU’VE SEEN SOME HAWKSBILLS! Click on an image to enlarge. Although rare to find, Hawaiian hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata) inhabit the same coastal waters with our more common green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). If you’re lucky enough to discover one, please send your sighting information to Hawaiian ...
Read More Have You Seen this Turtle?
SEALS, TURTLES AND OTHER MARINE LIFE NEED OUR HELP! Best fishing practices can prevent injuries. Your phone call can save a life! Click on image to enlarge. Best practices for Fishing around Protected Species: Prevent the Event – Always watch your gear If you see a seal while fishing, consider taking a short break ...
Read More Reporting Hooked or Entangled Marine Animals
Upcoming Rule Amendments Bulletins on Severe Weather Facility Closures Construction Alerts Sign up for email and text alerts on DOBOR updates.
Keehi Small Boat Harbor office will be closed to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Thursday, October 1, 2020 until further notice. Staff shortages have prompted the change. The office will be in operation but closed to the public so DOBOR staff can keep up with necessary paperwork and administrative duties to maintain harbor ...
Read More KEEHI SBH OFFICE – NEW PUBLIC HOURS BEGINNING 10/1/20
Important October 5, 2022 Update: Click here to view policy changes made by the U.S. Coast Guard regarding e-foil regulations. An electric hydrofoil surfboard, also known as an “e-foil,” is: 1) a motorized vessel that must be registered; 2) not a thrill craft; 3) subject to carriage requirements for a Class A vessel like ...
Read More How are E-foils Regulated in Hawaii?
Beginning Friday, August 28, the public restrooms on the grounds of Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, Oahu, will close daily after 4:00pm, including weekends and holidays. This change is being made in response to continued vandalism and illicit activity in the facilities.