|
Water Ways Ray Pendleton |
Looking at port
-security measuresI would doubt there are any recreational boaters in the U.S. more sympathetic to the Coast Guard's efforts to provide for our coastal security than those in Hawaii.
After all, Oahu's historic Pearl Harbor stands as a constant reminder of what happens when such efforts are lacking or ineffective.
So when Bill Mossman, head of the Hawaii Boaters Political Action Association, called me with some criticism of the Guard's latest port-security measures, it caught me by surprise.
Like many boaters in the Ala Wai Harbor, I imagine, I had read the recent measures, but since they didn't directly apply to that marina, I hadn't pondered their application elsewhere.
According to a pamphlet distributed by the Guard, the measures were created to "reduce the threat of sabotage or terrorist acts" against port personnel, vessels and facilities.
These new measures apply to recently established port-security zones that include Honolulu Harbor, Kahului Harbor, Nawiliwili Harbor, Port Allen, Barbers Point Harbor and the adjacent offshore tanker moorings, as well as the cruise-ship mooring areas for Hilo, Lahaina and Kailua-Kona.
Honolulu Harbor's security zone, it should be pointed out, includes not only the commercial harbor, but all of Keehi Lagoon and an area over a mile offshore of both.
"Entry into, transiting through, or anchoring in a security zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the C.G. Captain of the Port," the pamphlet says.
Boaters are told if they wish to transit these security zones, they can seek permission by calling the COTP at (808) 541-2477 or (800) 552-6458, or on VHF marine radio, channel 16.
But they are also warned that persons entering these zones without COTP authorization "may be subject to a penalty of not more than $25,000 for each violation, or a criminal penalty resulting in imprisonment of not more than 10 years and a fine of not more than $10,000."
That means that every time a boater wants to enter or leave Keehi Lagoon, for instance, they had better seek permission from the Guard or face some staggering penalties.
This is one of the areas where Mossman finds fault with the new measures.
First, he says, what is made to look like a screening process is actually a facade that routinely accepts all security-zone-transit requests. And even when vessels fail to request permission, he has been told, they should not worry because the Guard will not "normally" enforce the rules.
"Does this not lend itself to arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement?" he asks.
Mossman also questions the need for including Keehi Lagoon in the Honolulu Harbor security zone because large ships don't use the Kalihi Channel entrance.
Guard spokesperson Erica Ryan confirmed that active enforcement of the permission-to-transit rules will only come when and if the Guard deems it necessary. But, she said, these measures must be in place for that eventuality.
Ryan also pointed out that, while Keehi Lagoon is not used for shipping, there are numerous potential targets -- including Honolulu Airport -- surrounding the lagoon.
Still, when I recently called for permission to enter Keehi Lagoon, the Guard COTP sounded slightly baffled. "That's only needed for Honolulu Harbor," he said.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Ray Pendleton is a free-lance writer based in Honolulu.
His column runs Saturdays in the Star-Bulletin.
He can be reached by e-mail at raypendleton@mac.com.