WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC) USE IN HAWAII
Personal Watercraft or PWCs, jetskis, etc. are very popular here in Hawaii. The growing number of these vessels operating in permitted riding areas and increasing user conflicts prompted the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to implement a rule in 2005 (Hawaii Administrative Rule §13-256-16) requiring all PWC operators to be certified in the safe use of their watercraft. In order to meet the need for certification, DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) worked with the community colleges and local water safety professional to develop two courses, one for basic PWC operation and another for Tow-In Surfing certification.
In addition to basic rules-of-the-road instruction, these two PWC certification courses cover such information as local ocean safety principles and practices; historical, cultural, and customary practices of Hawaii’s ocean users; and rules or laws pertaining to protected species and thrill craft operation in the State.
The full text of Hawaii Administrative Rule (HAR) §13-256-16 pertaining to general thrill craft operations in Hawaii waters can be found at: http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dbor/rules/amendment13-240, 243, 245, 256.htm
For Tow-In Surfing, both the PWC operator and the surfer must be certified. Specialized rules pertaining to riding areas and special carriage requirements for Tow-In Surfing can be found at: http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dbor/rules/amendment13-250, 256.htm
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q. How do I get certified to operate my PWC?
Currently, the only way to get the necessary certification is to sign up for a class offered through the University of Hawaii Community College System, specifically, the College of Continuing Education at the following campuses:
Hawaii Island: Hawaii Community College
Kauai: Kauai Community College
Oahu: Windward Community College
Maui: Maui Community College
Classes are offered approximately five times per year. Cost for the one-day Recreational Thrill Craft Operators Safety Educational Course for PWC certification class is approximately $109. Cost for the two-day Ocean Safety Educational Course for tow-in surfing certification is approximately $139. Announcements for scheduled classes throughout the Community College system are posted on the Windward Community College web site calendar located at:
www.hawaii.edu/calendar/wcc-ocet or http://ocet.wcc.hawaii.edu
Windward Community College Office of Continuing Education Calendar – as of 08/12/2010
Ocean Safety Educational Course
Learn about the legal and regulatory requirements for persons who participate in the sport of tow-in surfing in Hawai’i; risk management principles; local ocean safety principles and practices; rules and laws pertaining to protected species in ocean waters in Hawai’i; boating skills as they apply to the sport of tow-in surfing; and the historical, cultural, and customary practices of Hawaii’s ocean users. All who participate in the sport of tow-in surfing in Hawaii must complete this certification course.
Recreational Thrill Craft Operators Safety Educational Course
Learn about local ocean safety principles and practices; historical, cultural, and customary practices of Hawaii’s ocean users; and rules regarding protected species and thrill craft operation in Hawaii. Effective January 2005 all recreational thrill craft (personal watercraft) operators must complete this certification course.
