Some thrill
craft owners favor
certification plan

They call it unfair but hope
state testing will improve attitudes
toward the watercraft

By Susan Kreifels
Star-Bulletin

Thrill craft is a misnomer, owners of these watercraft say. The name is as outdated as the idea that the aquatic sport should be banned because it is dangerous.

But several of them said yesterday that they supported recommendations for legislation that would require owner-operators of these personal watercraft to be certified by the state. And they hope such requirements will improve their image in the community.

"It is unfair, but if we need to show the public there are responsible riders and families who have recreational fun in the water, I'm all for it," said Donald Gentzler of Kaneohe. "It's a step forward to letting the public know that we are not just a bunch of cowboys."

Gentzler owns a Jet Ski and already has taken boat safety classes with the Coast Guard.

Carol Agbisit, whose family has two Jet Skis, believes operators of all watercraft and boats should be certified. "You've got to start somewhere," said Agbisit, who lives in Waipio Gentry. "If it's with us, that's fine."

Yesterday, the Thrill Craft Advisory Committee presented its recommendations to the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.

The committee was appointed in response to a state Senate resolution. The board will decide whether to send its recommendations to the Legislature.

The committee recommended that all owner-operators of recreational personal watercraft be certified before they can register their devices. That would include written and water-skills tests.

Owners would also be held responsible for instructing users of their craft about safety and regulations. And they would be liable for any accident or damage caused, whether they are operating the craft or not.

Operators who tow surfers to waves 12 feet or higher would be required to take an extra test on water skills.

Committee member Dennis McCann, who believes owners have been unfairly singled out as "bad elements," said the state started calling the vehicles "thrill crafts" when they first came to Hawaii more than 10 years ago.

It's the only state that still uses the name, one that angers owners, he said. The committee recommended "thrill craft" no longer be used by the state.

McCann, a Jet Ski owner who lives in Kaneohe, said personal watercraft are built larger and safer today and can seat three people. Families use them for outings.

"Yes, you've got your hot dogs," McCann said. But outlawing them is as unfair as "eliminating all cars" because of drunken drivers.

Owners have been fighting a ban at Kaneohe Bay. The bay's master plan includes regulating commercial use and urges recreational use be eliminated. But the ban has never been enforced.

Users say it would be unfair to allow commercial but not recreational craft, and the idea to ban either is outdated.

"Tourists come here, and they want to ride Jet Skis," McCann said. "What is lacking out there is education."

Nick Lohr, who sells Jet Skis and also serves as co-director of the Hawaiian Islands Jet Sport Association, believes most of the group's 150 members will support the recommendations. Many have already taken Coast Guard safety courses.

"This club is really focused on safety, environment and family," Lohr said.

Owners also believe such legislation would improve community attitudes. Emotions ran high when a 6-year-old boy on a Jet Ski hit a woman and killed her 10 years ago.

Carol Blodgett takes her children fishing on her three-seat Jet Ski on Kaneohe Bay.

"People need to keep an open mind," she said. "We need some type of education rather than just an all-out ban."