Hawaii Administrative Rules
Title 13 - DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Subtitle 11 - OCEAN RECREATION AND COASTAL AREAS
Part 2 - BOATING
Chapter 243 - VESSEL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
Section 13-243-1 - Equipment required by vessels on state waters
Current through February, 2024
(a) This chapter applies to all vessels that are propelled or controlled by machinery, sails, oars, paddles, poles, or another vessel, except Hawaiian design racing canoes, racing shells, rowing sculls, and racing kayaks. Navigational lights, sound producing devices, personal flotation devices, ventilation, backfire flame control, and distress signals shall conform to the standards set forth in U. S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules, COMDTINST M16672.2B, of August 17, 1990 and as revised thereafter; U. S. Coast Guard Boating Standards Manual COMDTINST M16761.2B, dated March 26, 1991 and as revised thereafter; 33 CFR Parts 175, 177, 181, and 183; and 46 CFR Part 25 as they existed on October 1, 1992 and as revised thereafter. The standards above are incorporated in this chapter by reference. Copies may be obtained from the 14th Coast Guard District. They are also available for inspection at the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, Department of Land and Natural Resources, 333 Queen St., Suite 300, Honolulu, Hawaii.
(b) Notwithstanding the exemptions outlined in subsection (a), no person shall operate or anchor offshore a recreational vessel unless all children under the age of thirteen wear a properly fitted personal flotation device whenever the vessel is underway on the ocean waters or navigable streams of the state or when moored or anchored offshore in a non-designated offshore mooring area, unless the children are below decks or in an enclosed cabin.
(c) All thrill craft operators and passengers shall be required to wear a personal flotation device when riding a thrill craft.
(d) For purposes of this section, the term "vessel," excludes surfboards.
(e) Fines and penalties shall be as provided in sections 200-14, 200-14.5, and 200-25, HRS. Prosecution of offenders shall be as provided by law.
