Thrill Craft
WHAT IS A THRILL CRAFT?
If you have been wondering if your watercraft falls into the category of a thrill craft, this is generally how it is described both in the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) and in Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR):
“Thrill craft” means any motorized vessel that falls into the category of personal watercraft, and which:
(1) Is generally less than thirteen feet in length as manufactured;
(2) Is generally capable of exceeding a speed of twenty miles per hour;
(3) Can be operated by a single operator, but may have the capacity to carry passengers while in operation; or
(4) Is designed to provide similar operating performance as a personal watercraft through a combination of small size, power plant, and hull design.
The term includes but is not limited to, a jet ski, waverunner, wet bike, surf jet, miniature speed boat, hovercraft, and every description of vessel which uses an internal combustion engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive propulsion, and is designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing or kneeling on or being towed behind the vessel.
If your type of watercraft is a recent innovation, DLNR/DOBOR may need to determine its class when it is registered.
Since first introduced, thrill craft have become very popular in Hawaii. In response to increased user conflicts, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) implemented an administrative rule in 2005 (Hawaii Administrative Rule § 13-256-16) requiring all thrill craft operators to be certified in the safe use of their watercraft. This certification is in addition to the basic boating safety course (approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the State of Hawaii) that is required to operate a motorized vessel in the State. Yes, to operate a thrill craft you are required to take BOTH courses.
Information on the approved basic boating safety courses is available at: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/mandatory-boating-safety-education-qa.
Information on the WCC Recreational Thrill Craft Operator Safety Education Course (basic operation) is available here: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/thrillcraftclasses.
The Boat-Ed.com Internet based thrill craft course is available at: https://www.boat-ed.com/hawaii-thrillcraft/. Copy and paste this URL into a browser to access the Boat-Ed.com course offerings.
For those interested, a tow-in surfing course is available upon successful completion of the thrill craft course. Both the thrill craft operator and the surfer must complete the tow-in course to legally tow-in surf.
Information on the WCC Ocean Safety Education Course (tow-in surfing) is available here: https://ce.uhcc.hawaii.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=43755.
The full text of Hawaii Administrative Rule (HAR) §13-256-16 and 13-256-17 pertaining to general, recreational thrill craft operations in Hawaii waters can be found at: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/files/2019/01/181231-Definitions-Package-Final.pdf.
Specialized rules pertaining to riding areas and special carriage requirements for tow-in Surfing (HAR 13-256-22 to 13-256-25) can be found at: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/files/2013/08/HAR256-Compiled.pdf.
RECENT CHANGES TO RULES OR ENFORCEMENT
JetLev and Flyboard have been deemed thrill craft by the State of Hawaii, DLNR. Contact DLNR/DOBOR before you launch Seabreacher, Surfjet, motorized wakeboards and similar jet powered devices to ask about pertinent regulations and requirements.
THRILL CRAFT ACCESS TO SHORELINE IN HILO BAY RESTRICTED: Effective 7/14/20, land access to the Waiakea Access Corridor along Hilo Bay (as described in HAR 13-256-141 [page 187] and depicted in HAR 13-256 Exhibit DDD [page 193]) to launch thrill craft has been blocked off. Thrill craft operators should use the ramp at Wailoa Sampan Basin and Boat Harbor to access waters of Hilo Bay. Thrill craft operators may still approach the shore with their vessels through the access corridor to anchor temporarily, change passengers, change operators and resume operation. Parking immediately inland of the Waiakea Access Corridor on State property is restricted.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. How do I get certified to operate my PWC?
As of 5/31/14, the potential student must successfully complete a NASBLA and State of Hawaii approved basic boating safety course prior to signing up for a Windward Community College thrill craft certification class and before undertaking the BoatEd.com Internet course. For information on basic boating safety courses, visit:
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/mandatory-boating-safety-education-qa/
Once you have satisfied the prerequisite, you may sign up for a certification class offered through the University of Hawaii Community College System (Windward Community College).
To view the Windward Community College web site calendar listing scheduled PWC classes, visit https://windwardcce.org/hi-ocean-edu.
Q. Is there an online class I can take to operate my PWC? Yes. The basic boating safety courses for Hawaii (Internet, classroom and home study classes) listed on DOBOR’s Mandatory Education page do not satisfy the certification requirement to operate a PWC in Hawaii. However, they are a prerequisite for signing up for the certification class. An approved, Internet-based thrill craft certification class IS available at: https://www.boat-ed.com/hawaii-thrillcraft/. Copy and paste this URL into a browser to access the Boat-Ed.com course offerings.
Q. What is Reciprocity? Can I use reciprocity to satisfy the certification requirement?
Reciprocity is an exemption in Hawaii rules that allows some or all of your training completed in another state to satisfy certain requirements in Hawaii. In general, 85% of a course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is applicable. Just by itself, citing reciprocity does not satisfy all the requirements for operating a PWC in Hawaii. You are still required to understand rules that are specific to Hawaii before you can legally operate a PWC.
If you have taken a NASBLA approved basic boating safety course in another state, in any of the US territories or Canada, you may join DOBOR’s Registry of Certified Vessel Operators and request a Boater Safety Education Card. The card satisfies prerequisites for thrill craft certification. You can then register and complete the WCC Thrill Craft (PWC) certification course and the BoatEd.com Internet thrill craft certification.
Through these methods, you must 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.
Q. How often will I need to renew my certifications?
Both the basic boating safety course and the thrill craft certification courses are 1x lifetime. There is no renewal requirement.
Q. What do the two certifications allow the operator to do?
Thrill craft certification allows an operator to traverse the access corridors and ride his/her vessel in designated riding areas. The tow-in Surfing certification gives the operator those same rights, plus the ability to use a thrill craft to engage in tow-in surfing. This type of surfing activity must be confined to the appropriate zone(s) during a high surf warning within a specific region when declared by the National Weather Service. Some islands also have practice zones for tow-in surfing so novice tow-in surfers can practice their sport when the break is not as large.
If you are WCC certified and only operate a thrill craft, you are exempt from the State’s Mandatory Education requirement (HAR 13-244-15.5) and you do not have to take any additional training. If you want to operate any vessel other than a thrill craft, you may need to take a NASBLA and State of Hawaii approved basic boating safety course. For information on whether or not you need to take the additional training.
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/mandatory-boating-safety-education-qa/
Q. Where and when can I launch/operate my vessel?
Maps of riding areas are provided through the certification course. Riding area maps are available at DOBOR harbor offices and the administrative office in Honolulu. For addresses and contact numbers, visit any of the DOBOR facilities listed at:
https://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dbor/borfacilities.htm
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/contacts
Some maps/illustrations of the riding zones are already available on-line for the following areas. You can access these maps through the respective harbor pages or directly at:
WAILOA SAMPAN BASIN AND BOAT HARBOR
Hilo Bay Thrill Craft Riding Zone, Hawaii Island
Kailua-Kona Thrill Craft Riding Zone, Hawaii Island
Haleiwa Thrill Craft Riding Zone, Oahu
Access to and from designated recreational thrill craft operating areas shall be by the most direct route consistent with safety considerations. Thrill craft operators shall not exceed a speed of slow-no-wake when within three hundred feet of the shoreline.
In non-designated ocean recreation management areas, recreational thrill craft may operate only in state waters between five hundred feet from the shoreline or the outer edge of the fringing reef whichever is greater and seaward of the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii. Commercial or recreational use of controlled ocean sports equipment is prohibited around the islands of Kahoolawe, Lanai and Molokai and Niihau.
In designated ocean recreation management areas, recreational thrill craft may operate only within locations designated for recreational thrill craft use.
Recreational thrill craft may gain access to state waters only from launching or harbor facilities or from private beachfront property.
No person shall operate thrill craft within a marine life conservation district or marine natural area reserve. This includes Molokini Atoll.
Thrill craft operations are curtailed in certain designated areas as necessary, to:
- avoid possible adverse impacts on humpback whales or other protected marine life;
- provide for increased public access;
- reduce user conflicts; and
- promote overall public safety.
Between December 15 and May 15 of each year, no person shall operate a thrill craft, or engage in parasailing, water sledding, or commercial high speed boating, or operate a motor vessel towing a person engaged in water sledding or parasailing on the west and south shore of Maui (HRS section 200-38, HAR 13-256-112). Seasonal closure areas for PWC operations also exist in waters off of Haleiwa and in Maunalua Bay on Oahu, and in the waters of Kailua Bay, Kailua-Kona of Hawaii Island (HAR 13-256-155).
It is the responsibility of the PWC operator to know the boundaries of designated riding areas and to comply with all applicable laws.
If anchored and being used as a diving platform in periods of low light and low visibility, PWCs must be equipped with navigation lights just as any vessel as stipulated by the USCG.
Q. Where and when can I use my vessel for tow-in surfing? What rules apply?
Certified PWC operators and their tow-in surf partners may engage in tow-in surfing in the region for which a high surf warning is issued by the National Weather Service. For example, if the high surf warning is for Maui, tow-in surfing is allowed in designated tow-in surf zones in waters off of Maui.
Tow-in surfing is also allowed without the high surf warning, but only in areas designated tow-in surfing practice zones.
Rules pertaining to tow-in surfing are listed under HAR 13-256. This section specifies carriage requirements above and beyond what is required for a vessel as outlined by the U.S. Coast Guard. The rule also specifies when and where PWCs may operate and instances when PWCs may enter a restricted area. PWCs may only enter an Ocean Recreation Management Area to retrieve a surfboard, personnel or for rescue operations. Please refer to the administrative rule for complete details.
Q. How can an out-of-state visitor legally operate a PWC in Hawaii waters?
If possible, a visitor can plan ahead to attend the PWC/tow-in classes offered by the Community College system during his/her visit.
Visitors can also rent a vessel from a commercial vendor (jet-ski rental) to ride in the commercial PWC zones. This rental must be preceded by a five-minute safety demonstration conducted by the vendor. It should be noted that commercial PWCs may only be ridden in a commercial thrill craft zone (a 200-foot radius circle) in an Ocean Recreation Management Area.
Q. What’s the minimum legal age for a PWC operator?
An individual must be fifteen years of age or older to operate a PWC in Hawaii.
Q. What equipment is required to operate a PWC in Hawaii waters?
A PWC is a vessel and must comply with all the carriage requirements of a vessel as specified by the U.S. Coast Guard.
For a complete set of requirements, visit any U.S. Coast Guard office, DOBOR harbor/office and ask for the Federal Requirements & Safety Tips for Recreational Boaters or access a digital copy online (https://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF).
Because a PWC is generally about 13 feet in length, it is considered a Class A vessel (<16′) and is required to have on board all carriage requirements for a Class A vessel. You must carry on board: the vessel Certificate of Number/State Registration, a type B-1 fire extinguisher, and a sound producing device like a whistle. In addition, all operators/riders must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while underway. The compartments of all vessels must be ventilated to reduce the buildup of explosive gasses. Finally, the vessel must be equipped with a backflame arrestor and must bear the appropriate state stickers and decals. Visual distress signal are not required to be carried on board if the vessel is NOT operated from sundown to sunrise. Similarly, navigational lights are not required unless the vessel is operated at night or during periods of reduced visibility.
Visiting vessels operating in Hawaii waters less than 60 days do not need to be registered in Hawaii.
DOBOR does not register trailers for any type of vessel. Trailers must be properly permitted by the county Department of Motor Vehicles.
To use the launch ramp at a DLNR/DOBOR facility, both the trailer and vessel must bear the appropriate ramp use permit stickers. A ramp sticker also allows the registered owner to utilize the trailer parking areas and washdowns in DLNR/DOBOR harbors. Washdowns are for boats and trailers ONLY. Please do not wash cars or diving and fishing gear. Do not fill your radiator or take water for personal or commercial use. The water at washdowns is for washing your trailer and your vessel and you are limited to 15 minutes. Do not wash fishing gear, diving gear, or anything other than your vessel and the trailer at the washdown.
To operate in a tow-in surf zone, the vessel must be registered by DLNR/DOBOR for that purpose and bear the appropriate tow-in sticker. There are equipment requirements as well listed in HAR 13-256-22. In general, a PWC operator engaged in tow-in surfing must be equipped with a two-way communication device, dive fins and a knife, a rescue sled, a bow tow-line, a 30-foot quick releas tow rope, etc. The surfers in a tow-in team are not required to wear a PFD. See HAR 13-256-22 for complete details.
In Hawaii, recreational vessels operating more than one mile offshore must be equipped with either a VHF radio or a USCG approved Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). Beginning January 1, 2007, older EPIRBs operating on the 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz frequencies were prohibited from use by the U.S. Coast Guard. The newer 406 MHz system greatly improves the functionality and accuracy of EPIRB units. DLNR is encouraging all boaters to employ the new technology. Thrillcraft (PWCs) are exempt from this requirement per Act 54, Session Laws of Hawaii.However…. if you do venture more than one mile offshore, a VHF Radio or EPIRB is highly recommended. A cellphone is not a reliable emergency communication device, especially if it is immersed in water.
Q. As a “boater” what are my responsibilities?
Your PWC is a vessel and you are a boater when you are out on the water. The best thing you can do is educate yourself by taking the basic PWC course to learn basic rules of the road. Other boating safety courses are available from local boating safety organizations and online on the Internet. The more you know, the more you can enjoy your time on the ocean.
You should have adequate insurance to cover yourself, your passengers and any damage you may cause in case of an accident. If you are involved in an accident and the damage is in excess of $200, you must fill out, to the best of your ability, an accident report form and relay it to DOBOR staff at a harbor office, a district offices or the DOBOR main office in Honolulu.
You may also be held responsible for wake damage, so observe all slow-no-wake signage posted for inshore waters. Know when to throttle down.
Know the rules. This document is meant to be a primer for PWC operators, but only provides an overview of the Hawaii Revised Statutes and the Hawaii Administrative Rules which govern your recreational activity. If you are unsure, read the rules or ask for clarification. Know where and when you can and cannot ride. Know before you go.
Q. How often must I renew registration and acquire new permits and stickers.
All PWCs, because they are motorized and because of their size (generally under 13 feet in length) must be registered with DOBOR and are considered “undocumented.” Motorized vessels over a certain length or tonnage must be registered with the U.S. Coast Guard and are considered “documented.”
A new PWC is issued an HA number when it is first registered with DOBOR. After that, PWCs need to be registered annually as do their trailers with the appropriate City and County Department of Motor Vehicles. Ramp use permits must also be renewed on an annual basis with DOBOR. Tow-in stickers are issued for a vessel only once by DOBOR and must be affixed to the vessel.
If a PWC (and any undocumented vessel for that matter) is bought/sold, the new owner has five days to transfer ownership under his/her own name.
Change of ownership can be done through any DLNR office or directly with the DOBOR Registrar at 4 Sand Island Access Road in Honolulu. For questions about registering your vessel(s), please call the Vessel Registration Information Hotline at (808) 587-1970. For information about the types of information that can be submitted when registering your vessel, review the Vessel Registration Form posted at:
Q. What are the penalties for operating a PWC without a certification, for riding outside designated PWC zones, etc?
Violators are subject to fines of not less than $50 and not more than $1,000 or a term of imprisonment of not more than thirty days, or both for each violation; provided that in addition to, or as a condition to the suspension of, the fines and penalties, the court may deprive the offender of the privilege of operating any vessel, including but not limited to any thrill craft or vessel engaged in parasailing or water sledding, in the waters of the State for a period of not more than thirty days.
Post your questions about PWCs by e-mailing the DOBOR WebmasterQ. I’ve been noticing a marked increase in PWC/thrill craft operating very close to the shoreline in the Kaena Point, Makaha, Makua Beach areas. Is this an area where they are allowed close-in?
Here is the applicable rule about operating a thrill craft in the nearshore waters at Kaena, Makaha and Makua. These areas on the leeward coast are not located in an Ocean Recreation Management Area. The key passage is in boldface.
§13-256-17 Recreational thrill craft operations.
(a) Access to and from designated recreational thrill craft operating areas shall be by the most direct route consistent with safety considerations. Thrill craft operators shall not exceed a speed of slow-no-wake when within three hundred feet of the shoreline.
(b) In non-designated ocean recreation management areas, recreational thrill craft may operate only in state waters between five hundred feet from the shoreline or the outer edge of the fringing reef whichever is greater and seaward of the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii.
(c) In designated ocean recreation management areas, recreational thrill craft may operate only within locations designated for recreational thrill craft use.
Violators are subject to fines of not less than $50 and not more than $1,000 or a term of imprisonment of not more than thirty days, or both for each violation; provided that in addition to, or as a condition to the suspension of, the fines and penalties, the court may deprive the offender of the privilege of operating any vessel, including but not limited to any thrill craft or vessel engaged in parasailing or water sledding, in the waters of the State for a period of not more than thirty days.
If you are witness to future violations, and are able to get a HA number from the vessels, please report the violations to DOBOR and/or the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE, 643-DLNR).
Q. I have a US Military MWR certification card for PWC operation. Will the State of Hawaii offer reciprocity for this certification?
Unfortunately, no. The MWR course is not NASBLA approved and is therefore not covered under the reciprocity clause in DOBOR’s rules.
Q. Does everyone riding aboard a PWC need to be certified?
No. The certification requirement only applies to the operator of the vessel.
Q. I have five in my family. All five want to operate our PWC. Do they all need to be certified?
Yes
Q. How is it a person can rent a PWC and operate it without being certified?
Residents and visitors can rent a PWC from a commercial vendor (jet-ski rental) to ride in the commercial PWC zones. Commercial PWCs are restricted to commercial thrillcraft zones (a 200-foot radius circle) in an Ocean Recreation Management Area.
Q. Can I use my jetski to visit Ahu o Laka in Kaneohe Bay?
No. Ahu O Laka, also known as the Sand Bar in Kaneohe Bay (Oahu) rests in a zone where thrill craft, commercial vessels and water skiing is prohibited (HAR 13-256-73, exhibit V-1).