Lifeguards on Oahu's North Shore received reports from surfers that a helicopter buzzed them at Laniakea yesterday in a violation of federal flight rules.

Surfers reported the helicopter flew about 15 to 20 feet overhead while 30 to 35 people were in the water about 150 yards offshore, said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Emergency Services Department.

No lifeguards are permanently stationed at Laniakea, a popular surf spot. The lifeguards said they received a report at 12:02 p.m. about the incident, which happened around 11 a.m.

The Ocean Safety Division contacted the local Federal Aviation Administration office and reported the incident, Cheplic said.

Helicopters must be operated at an altitude that does not pose a hazard to people or property below, said FAA spokesman Ian Gregor. An FAA safety inspector would determine whether a particular operation created a hazard, he said.

FAA regulations forbid a helicopter operator from flying below “;an altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle or structure.”;