Hawaii Ocean Safety Team (HOST)
Advisory Board Meeting
August 12, 2004
Kim Beasley LCDR Rick Raksnis
Kimo Corstorphine John Regan
Bob Heidrich Chris Woolaway
Linden Joesting Susan Harper
Bill Mossman Capt. Terry Rice, Ret.
Hector Venegas Robin Bond
AGENDA ITEM #1 Call to Order
Robin called the meeting to order. Currently one short of a quorum.
AGENDA ITEM #2 Approval of the Minutes of last meeting.
AGENDA ITEM #3 Treasurer’s Report
Chris Woolaway reported that we currently have $1,634.35. We haven’t spent anything, nor have we taken anything in. Terry Rice asked if we ever received any funds from the Combined Federal Campaign. Chris reported that in April we received a total of $459.44. They are gearing up for another phase of the campaign. We need to check to make certain that we are still listed in the materials that get passed out to contributors.
AGENDA ITEM #4 Next Membership Meeting Topics
• Safety at Sea A presentation by Susan Harper
• An update on Security Issues – USCG
• A report on the arrival of the Pride of Aloha by Norwegian Cruise Lines. Also they may be able to speak about there rescue efforts of the two divers that were hurt off Kauai . We may consider given them a Public Service Commendation from HOST.
• A presentation by the State on the proposal for the Counties taking over management of small boat harbors. We may not be able to find out enough information on this by the date of the meeting. What is prompting the push for this?
• A recent ruling regarding the Marine Endangered Species Act. Essentially the ruling says that the State has no jurisdiction over watercraft during whale season. This is just one ruling but does it have implications across the board. It sounds like someone from DOBOR would be needed to discuss this
• The Coast Guard to give a report on the two fishermen that disappeared off of their boats. The focus would be on the search.
• LCDR Rick Raksnis volunteered to give a presentation on the upcoming Maritime Industry Day Agenda and plans. MERPAC Advisory Committee will also be holding a meeting in Hawaii . USCG will announce this as well. This will be at the Bishop Museum on the same day as the Maritime Industry Day.
• Chris Woolaway volunteered to give a preliminary introduction to the upcoming Get the Drift and Bag It effort. She could recap the success of last year.
AGENDA ITEM #5 State Involvement with HOST
Linden Joesting drafted letters to Peter Young of DLNR and Rod Haraga of the Department of Transportation. These letters are to reintroduce them to HOST and ask if they can appoint a participant from their Departments to attend HOST meetings. Linden suggested that we cc the Governor. We can include a brochure with it.
AGENDA ITEM #6 Safety At Sea Subcommittee – Susan Harper
They have decided on a “traveling road show” type of program populated with local speakers. This will be an effort to reach out to recreational boaters. We have more boats in backyards than in marinas. This could be a presentation in the morning and then breakout sessions in the afternoon that tailor information to specific interest groups. Next planning meeting is August 25th, 5:30 pm at the upper deck of the Kaneohe Yacht Club. At that meeting they will focus on the top safety tips for Hawaii boating. Chris is still working on the funding. Hopefully the statistics they are currently gathering will help with that effort.
AGENDA ITEM #7 7th Annual HSC Conference
April 17th – 20th has been selected for the upcoming 7th Annual Harbor Safety Conference that will be held in Long Beach . We have voted to send Robin. It also looks as though Sause Bros. will be sending Brad Rimell. The planning phase is now in progress. If anyone is interested in participating in this process let Robin know.
AGENDA ITEM #8 Pending HOST Safety Issues
• SOP 6-98 Commercial VHF Combs. – Hector
Hector reports that he is still awaiting the return of information on radio use. This effort is to update the directory on typical radio frequency users.
• SOP 8-98 Explosive Handling Revisions – Robin
Robin has e-mailed out to the Board the proposed revisions to the SOP. If there are no further changes then he will post it on the website. The General Membership will be notified at the same time as the announcement of the General Membership Meeting. The General membership will be invited to look over the proposed SOP on the web. If we have no feedback we will assume that it is approved.
• Kawaihae Harbor Tug and Barge Safety – Robin
Nothing new on this.
• PR Education Committee – Julia Morgan is excused so we have no report on this.
• SOP 9-98 Use of Seafarer’s Hall for tempo shelter – Terry Rice
Terry has nothing new to report on this effort at this time.
• Canoes in Honolulu Harbor Channel – Update
Nothing new to report on this issue. This is really an awareness campaign that we are trying to set up. Possibly this can be conducted on an annual basis.
AGENDA ITEM #9 Homeland Security – Rick Raksnis and Terry Rice
The docket on the NPRM for changing the Security Zones has been closed. They received a total of 6 comments and the USCG is required to respond to all comments made. They intend to proceed with processing the final rules.
Rick reported briefly on the recent diving incident on Kauai . The Spirit of Kauai was passing within about 125 yards of a dive tour boat. Two divers surfaced in the path of the Spirit of Kauai. The investigation is still on-going. The dive assistant tried to push the tourist down and out of the way and in the process both divers were hit by the propellers of the Spirit of Kauai. The Assistant Instructor lost one leg and the tourist got his arm mangled. We will report on this at the General Membership Meeting.
Rick reported on the recent Propeller Club Meeting in which the topics for the upcoming Maritime Industry Day were discussed. There will be a opening session, three break out session and a lunch. The agenda is being finalized in the near future.
Kim asked if we will be giving out a Doug Van award. This award is given to someone who has given a lot to Ocean Safety. A committee of two was established to look into the issue. This will be Kim Beasley and Chris Woolaway.
AGENDA ITEM #10 State of Hawaii Concerns
As there are no State Representatives present no report was forthcoming.
AGENDA ITEM #11 Announcements
• Over 50 tons of derelict fishing nets have arrived at Snug Harbor . This represents half the annual program of cleaning up the Northwest Hawaiian Islands . NOAA Fisheries and Living Marine Resources are funding this effort. This is in partnership with the USCG. They will be going back out in about nine days. Rene Mansho has been a big help on this. Robin asked Chris to report on this when she mentions get the Drift and Bag It. Last year they picked up about 120 tons. This net is cut up by Hawaii Metals Recycling and burned at H-Power.
Robin asked if there were any further comments. Hearing none he adjourned the meeting.
NEXT MEETINGS
General Membership Meeting:
August 26, 2004 , 2:00 pm , Honolulu Community College Marine Education Training Center just over the bridge off Sand Island Road .
Executive Board Meeting:
September 9, 2004 , 3:00 pm , Hawaii Yacht Club located in the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor .