Thrill Craft in Hawaii

For the purpose of this orientation, the terms Personal Watercraft (PWC), thrill craft, jet-ski and variations of these terms may be used interchangeably as all are considered thrill craft.

The operator should be aware that not every passage in the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) and the Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) that applies to vessel operations in Hawaii is covered here.

This course is meant to supplement the information presented in a NASBLA-approved boating safety course for PWC operation and satisfy the requirements of the Hawaii Administrative Rule for mandatory education for thrill craft operation. Standard topics about boating—such as vessel registration, numbering, accidents and accident reporting, carriage requirements, rules of the road, diver’s flags, etc., for all vessels (including thrill craft) that are operating in Hawaii waters—are covered in a NASBLA- and State of Hawaii–approved basic boating safety course. For a copy of the Hawaii Boating Law Basics manual, please email a request to the Hawaii Boating Safety Program at [email protected].

This course for thrill craft operation neither covers all the necessary information for tow-in surfing certification nor empowers the rider to engage in that activity. Tow-in surfing certification may only be accomplished by enrolling in and passing the appropriate, State of Hawaii–approved tow-in surfing classes.

NOTE: Many illustrations in this course are created from existing exhibits. For a more modern, updated view of ocean recreation exhibits, maps, and diagrams, visit http://histategis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c4630837da3641a2a103bd48bf86c5fb.