Boating – Motorized Vessels FAQs
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace official laws and administrative rules regarding mandatory boater education. Please view Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) and Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) for official legal authority.
Motorized Vessels
| Term |
(HAR / DLNR) |
| Power-driven vessel |
“Power-driven vessel” means any vessel propelled by machinery. (HAR §13-240-2) |
| Motorboat |
“Motorboat” means any vessel propelled by machinery, whether or not the machinery is the principal source of propulsion. The term shall not include a vessel which has a valid marine document issued by the Bureau of Customs of the United States or any federal agency successor thereto. (HAR §13-240-2) |
BOATING – MOTORIZED VESSEL FAQs
To operate a recreational motorized vessel powered by an engine over 10 hp in Hawaiʻi, you must have one credentials: (1) a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and State-approved basic boating safety course for motorized vessels.
- Lower fatality rates with education: A 2007 NASBLA study found states with long-standing mandatory boating education have the lowest fatality rates.
- Evidence of effectiveness: The study concluded mandatory boating education saves lives; longer requirements = lower fatalities.
- Hawaiʻi’s statistics:
- 46 fatalities per 100,000 vessels in the study year (5th highest).
- 44 fatalities per 100,000 vessels in 2011 (2nd worst in the U.S.).
- Goal of the rule: Improve on-the-water safety for all ocean users.
- Comparison to driving: Similar to licensing drivers—operators need to know “rules of the road” to prevent injuries or deaths.
- Shared waterways: Despite the ocean’s size, vessels often operate near swimmers, divers, and shorelines, making operator knowledge critical.
- Start date: November 10, 2014
- Since then: All boaters must show proof of certification to law enforcement officers upon request.
- General applicability: The rule applies to all motorized vessels, unless they or their vessels qualify for an exemption listed in the rule (“Who is exempt”).
- Course requirement: Anyone who can successfully complete a NASBLA- and State-approved boating safety course may operate a vessel.
- Under-16 operators: Must have the required certificate and be directly supervised by an adult (21+ years old) who also holds the required certificate.
- Any power-driven vessel propelled by a motor greater than 10 horsepower.
- Sailboats or wind-driven vessels with an auxiliary engine over 10 horsepower.
- Thrill craft (personal watercraft, jet skis, water bikes, etc.) — require additional certification beyond the boating course.
- The first step is completing a NASBLA-approved boating safety course.
- See DOBOR’s Thrill Craft page for full details and approved courses.
- All navigable State waters
- From the high-water mark on shore
- Out to three miles at sea
- Valid Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC):
- Must be issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.
- MMC can be shown to enforcement personnel as proof.
- MMC holders may request a State-issued Boater Safety Education Card (BSEC) via the Hawai‘i Certified Boater Registry.
- Card expires when the MMC expires.
- Expired MMCs are not accepted under the rule.
- Commercial thrill craft customers in designated State-authorized zones.
- Vessels powered by 10 horsepower or less.
- Out-of-state visitors on a voyage originating elsewhere, staying in Hawai‘i for less than 60 calendar days.
- Rental vessel operators who have received a State-approved safety briefing.
Who Is Not Exempt
- Ocean safety personnel, lifeguards, marine enforcement, researchers, and federal/state/county personnel are still required to comply.
- Proof on demand:
- Operators of power-driven vessels must present a certificate of completion or acceptable proof of exemption when stopped by a law enforcement officer.
- Failure to show it at the time = violation (unless later proven in court that you had a valid certificate or exemption at the time of the stop).
- Fraudulent documents prohibited:
- Altering, forging, counterfeiting, falsifying, or loaning a certificate or other proof of compliance is a violation.
- DLNR “stamp of approval”:
- Look for the blue or black circular DLNR stamp, which features a sail, waves, and the phrase “Course Approved for State of Hawai‘i by DLNR.”
- Enforcement personnel check for this stamp on cards or course provider websites to confirm compliance.
- Random checks:
- DLNR enforcement officers are authorized to conduct random checks of vessels and credentials for safety and compliance.
- Be ready to show your boating safety card and photo ID (if requested).
- Credentials with the DLNR stamp of approval are considered compliant.
- Please have your course completion card or certificate on hand, not just a photo on your phone.
- Cooperation matters:
- These measures are for the protection of operators, passengers, and other ocean users.
- Fines: Minimum $50 up to $1,000 per violation.
- Imprisonment: Up to 30 days per violation.
- Both fine and imprisonment may be imposed.
- Operating ban: Court may prohibit an individual from operating a vessel in Hawai‘i state waters for up to 30 days.
- NASBLA & State Approval:
- Course must be approved by NASBLA and the State of Hawai‘i.
- Only NASBLA-approved courses taught in the U.S., U.S. Territories, or Canada are recognized.
- Visitor Exemption:
- Visiting vessels are exempt from Hawai‘i’s requirement for 60 days.
- Course Content Standards:
- 85% of course content is standard NASBLA material (same nationwide).
- 15% is state-specific information set by Hawai‘i, covering local rules such as:
- Vessel registration
- Prohibitions and carriage requirements
- Exemptions
- Enforcement procedures
- Hybrid Course:
- Providers incorporate Hawai‘i-specific rules into the NASBLA core to create a state-tailored course acceptable for the Mandatory Education Rule.
- Thrill Craft Operators (Jet skis, PWC, etc.):
-
- Yes – DLNR granted an exemption (effective November 13, 2014) for anyone who took the WCC thrill craft operator’s course in the past and operates only a thrill craft.
- No additional training required for thrill craft only.
- Boat Operators (Other vessels):
-
- Before 5/31/14: WCC course was not NASBLA-approved. You must take a NASBLA & State of Hawai‘i approved boating safety course to operate any vessel other than a thrill craft.
- On or after 5/31/14: WCC course NASBLA-approved. You are certified to operate both thrill craft and boats.
- All current WCC students must complete a NASBLA & State of Hawai‘i approved boating safety course before the classroom portion of the certification.
- Using a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC):
-
- Yes – You can use your MMC to satisfy the prerequisite for a thrill craft certification class.
- Apply for a Boater Safety Education Card via DOBOR’s Registry of Certified Vessel Operators.
- This provides the State-specific orientation through the Hawai‘i Boating Law Basics manual.
Hawai‘i residents can choose an online internet-based course to get a Boating Certificate of Completion. All courses teach the same material.
- Approved online courses (fees apply):
- How to enroll: Click on the link on the provider’s name to access their course offerings.
- Technical help or replacement cards: Contact the course provider directly.
Credentials & Course Approval Stamp
- Plastic ID Cards & Certificates:
- ACEBOATER.com, Boat-ed.com, and BOATERexam.com issue a paper certificate + plastic card.
- Cards with the course approval stamp (blue, except ACEBOATER.com’s black stamp) are automatically valid.
- Completed courses before these dates may lack the stamp:
- ACEBOATER.com before 10/31/2016
- Boat-ed.com before 1/1/2014
- BOATERexam.com before 3/3/2015
- If your card lacks the stamp: Mail your certificate requesting a blue course approval sticker to:
Boating Safety
Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation
4 Sand Island Access Road, Honolulu, HI 96819
Email: [email protected]
-
- Provide your current return mailing address if different from the one printed on your certificate/card.
Optional State-Issued Boater Safety Education Card
- Even if you already have a card with the stamp, you can request a State-issued, laminated Boater Safety Education Card from DOBOR.
- Apply here: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/certified-boater-registry/
- Both the plastic card with the stamp and the State-issued laminated card are valid.
BoatUS.org Course Specifics
- Course includes a cutout boater ID card with a blue course approval stamp. Cut it out and keep it on board — no further action required.
- If you completed the BoatUS.org course before 1/1/2014 (no stamp or cutout card):
- Send a signed copy of your certificate to Boating Safety at DOBOR (email or mail).
- DOBOR will send you:
- A booklet with Hawai‘i-specific boating laws
- A State-issued laminated Boater Safety Education Card with the blue stamp
Basic requirement:
- To operate a thrill craft (jet ski, PWC, water bike, etc.) in Hawai‘i you need:
- A boating safety course (NASBLA & State-approved), and
- A thrill craft certification course.
- Approved thrill craft certification courses:
Not approved:
- Kanalu/Kanalu K38 program has not been an approved course provider in Hawai‘i since 2017.
Out-of-state NASBLA courses:
- If you completed a NASBLA-approved class in another state that authorized you to operate a PWC, you may cite reciprocity.
- Join the Registry of Certified Vessel Operators to request a Boater Safety Education Card (BSEC).
- The BSEC can be used to satisfy prerequisites for Hawai‘i’s required thrill craft courses.
Certified Boater Registry
- Previously completed courses:
- If you already passed a NASBLA-approved USCG AUX or USPS course outside Hawai‘i or before the State-specific content was added in Hawai‘i, you may qualify for an abbreviated course covering only the Hawai‘i module to save time and cost.
- Check with DOBOR to confirm eligibility: [email protected]
- Boater Safety Education Card:
- DLNR/DOBOR can issue a Boater Safety Education Card for those who successfully completed a USCG AUX ABS and/or BSS course.
- Join the Certified Boater Registry and attach a copy of your credentials to get your card.
- Reciprocity:
- If you’ve taken a NASBLA-approved course in another state with a mandatory education requirement, you may be able to cite reciprocity, complete this form to apply: Certified Boater Registry
- Find a USCG AUX class near you:
- Check for the DLNR approval stamp:
- Your card or certificate must bear the “Course Approved for State of Hawai‘i by DLNR” stamp to be accepted as proof of compliance.
- The stamp is circular, blue or black, with a stylized boat sail and ocean waves.
- Carry credentials & ID:
- When approached by DLNR enforcement personnel on the water or at a ramp, be ready to show your boating safety card and a photo ID (if requested).
- Your cooperation ensures smoother inspections.
- Optional step — join the Registry:
- Join the Certified Boater Registry
- You can request a free, laminated Boater Safety Education Card (BSEC).
- The BSEC is equivalent to your certification card and can be replaced for free if lost or stolen.
- DOBOR’s goal is to build a comprehensive statewide registry of certified vessel operators.
- Prerequisite process:
- If you want to register for a thrill craft certification class and you hold an MMC, you must first apply for a Boater Safety Education Card (BSEC) by joining the Certified Boater Registry .
- Once registered, you’ll receive a BSEC that you can digitally transmit to the course provider to satisfy the prerequisite.
- Orientation to state rules:
- Joining the registry also gives you the Hawai‘i Boating Law Basics manual to orient you to State-specific rules.
- Maintain your MMC:
- Your MMC must remain valid to claim this exemption.
- If your MMC expires, you’ll be required to take a basic boating safety course.
Definition:
-
- Reciprocity lets some or all of the boating training you completed in another state count toward Hawaiʻi’s requirements.
- Usually, 85% of a NASBLA-approved course applies nationwide.
Limitations:
-
- Reciprocity alone does not fully qualify you to operate a thrill craft in Hawaiʻi.
- You must still learn and understand Hawaiʻi-specific rules before legally operating a PWC.
How to Use Reciprocity in Hawaiʻi
If you’ve taken a NASBLA-approved basic boating safety course in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada:
-
- Join DOBOR’s Certified Boater Registry.
- Request a Boater Safety Education Card (BSEC) from DOBOR.
- Use the BSEC to satisfy the prerequisite for a thrill craft certification course.
- Register and complete one of the approved Hawaiʻi-specific thrill craft courses. Course material is the same, it is up to you to decide what platform to use:
Hawaiʻi-Specific Knowledge You Still Must Complete
Even with reciprocity, you must complete the Hawaiʻi portions of a course covering:
- Local ocean safety principles and practices.
- Historical, cultural, and customary practices of Hawaiʻi’s ocean users.
Rules and laws about protected species and thrill craft operation in the State
- Not at the moment, online course options only.
If you’ve misplaced your card or certificate, here are the steps you can take:
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Contact Your Course Provider
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The course provider is the primary source for retrieving your credentials.
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Log in to your course account to re-download your certificate.
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Check your email for a copy—try searching with keywords such as: certification, completion, boating, course, thrill craft, etc.
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If You Don’t Remember Your Course Provider
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Quick Links to Common Providers
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DLNR DOBOR Certified Boater Registry
Important: Ultimately, you must work with your course provider to replace a lost certificate. If you cannot locate your original provider or credentials, you will need to retake the course.
For more information/clarification, contact [email protected]
Responses are within 48 business hours.
No renewals are required once you’ve successfully completed these courses.
- The following certifications are valid for life:
- Basic boating safety course
- Thrill craft certification course
- Tow-in surfing certification course
A boating accident is any incident involving a boat that results in:
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⚠️ Death or disappearance of a person
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🩺 Serious injury (loss of consciousness, medical treatment, or disability lasting more than 24 hours)
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💰 Property damage over $2,000
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🚢 Loss or disappearance of the vessel (not theft)
This includes things like collisions, capsizing, sinking, flooding, fire, explosion, falling overboard, or injuries caused by a vessel’s wake or waves.
*Reports are required. The report you submit is confidential and cannot be shared once we received. The information is used for data purposes by the USCG.
More information and link to required form: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/reporting-boating-accidents/
This page was last updated on 9/11/25.
