Emergency boat
gear mandatoryHawaii vessels going farther
than a mile offshore must now
carry radio equipment
Under a new law, Hawaii boaters must now carry emergency radio equipment when traveling more than a mile offshore or face a $100 fine.
The law requires vessels that go beyond the mile limit to carry either an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or a VHF-FM radio. Gov. Linda Lingle recently signed into law legislation mandating the emergency equipment.
"If it can save lives, I think it's an important piece of equipment," said Michael McDaniel, who purchased a $3,000 EPIRB after he got a 41-foot auxiliary ketch (sailboat) five months ago. He bought a top-of-the-line EPIRB, which uses global positioning satellite technology and is self-deployable. "I value my safety," he said. "Of course, I can put that in my budget."
The law applies to any watercraft that must register with the state or the Coast Guard, including manual or sail-propelled boats.
Kayaks and training vessels are exempt if accompanied by a vessel carrying the proper equipment. Canoes, paddleboards, personal watercraft and surfboards are exempt from the law.
Although Francis Gilles has been sailing for 25 years and has never had to radio for help, he thinks it is a good law.
Gilles carries both an EPIRB and a single-side band radio on his 41-foot sailboat, the Ululani, which he was washing down yesterday.
"I think it's quite necessary for people who go offshore," said Gilles, who with his wife lives on the Ululani, which is docked at the Ala Wai Boat Harbor.
McDaniel plans to sail to the mainland, so he "sunk a lot of money into safety equipment," he said.
The U.S. Marine Corps captain said he once saw a sailboat in flames while on a military vessel, which was alerted by EPIRB.
"No one wants to use it until they need it. Then they say they'll sink whatever money they can."
Jimmy Willis' 32-foot pilothorn sloop is equipped with EPIRB, but it needs a new battery and he cannot find one locally.
He said EPIRBs are the way to go, since the satellite tracking system will allow rescuers to know a boat's exact location, although VHF radios are much cheaper. The cost of EPIRBs varies from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand.
Willis, who sailed from the mainland a few years ago, said VHF radios do not do a lot of good since they transmit only about 20 miles, depending on a clear line of sight. If there are large swells and the antenna is located near the deck instead of high on the mast, it may not be able to transmit far.
Boaters can use the VHF radio to call the Coast Guard, but other boats do not always have them on board, he said.
The state Senate Transportation Committee recommended approval of the bill because of concern over boaters who could not be found after being lost at sea.
"Many boating fatalities occur simply because rescue personnel are unable to locate stranded boats in time," the committee report said.
The committee also noted the high cost of search-and-rescue operations, citing two cases last year that each cost the state $1 million. The committee said a positioning beacon device costs about $600, while a VHF radio costs $100.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.