The meeting was held at the HCC Education and Training Center on Sand Island and had 36 attendees.
Call To Order Bill Mossman – Meeting Host
Whales vs Vessels
Naomi McIntosh, Marine Sanctuary Acting Sanctuary Manager gave a presentation on the issue of Whales vs Vessels.
This issue is at the forefront of their Board.
North Pacific Humpback Whales:
Population growing at 7% per year
Down in other areas
Whales fanning out throughout other islands with growth of population
Issues and Areas of Concern:
West Maui – lots of boats, lots of whales
Faster boats are a trend
Calves more vulnerable
Smaller/harder to locate
More time at surface
Law:
Illegal to approach – 100 yds
Illegal to fly over – 1,000 ft
Reporting concerns
Citation concerns
Safety for passengers concerns
Currently trying to get a base line:
Types of vessels
Locations and frequency
Education and Outreach is the current approach.
A vessel interaction workshop to reduce impacts is in the planning stages. The workshop is scheduled to be held in Maui from August 11th – 13th.
Sanctuary Vision
Work with community for balance between ocean use and resource protection.
Questions and Answers
Robin Bond – any citations? Not to her knowledge
Chris Woolaway – Reluctance to report
How are you getting around that for report? Newspaper search, waterfront survey, NMFS
Review of the revisions to HOST SOP 5-97 DIVING FROM VESSELS
Terry Rice, Jerrod Kowalski and Jim Byrem gave an update on the review of SOP 5-97
Initial trigger was a fatality and a near casualty (divers drifted away).
Does the SOP cover issues identified by these problems? Yes.
April 1st – Subcommittee reviewed the SOP word by word.
Some proposed changes in draft form.
Hawaiian Islands Recreational Diving Association has reviewed SOP and made suggestions.
Draft SOP out for comments from:
HOST Advisory Board
HIRSA
Diving Training Association
Drift diving an addition to this draft
HOST comments to Robin – Timeframe: The final draft is to be presented at next general meeting
Dive Flag Regulations:
Jerrod Kowalski – Secretary, Hawaiian Island Diving Association gave an update: Refer to Amendments to chapters 13-240, 13-243m 13-245 and 13-256 Hawaii Administrative Rules.
Weekly meetings were held during development.
Definitions improvement
Expanded, defined, and delineated issues on vessel approach, now – 100ft.
Special areas “like Molokini” – that are high concentration areas. Channels are another example.
Jerrod gave a brief update on the requirements that are found in the amendments listed above.
Questions and Answers
Ala Wai Channel diving – New prohibition – How will this be enforced? DLNR’s Job.
Use of PFDs
Children 13 years old and under must wear PFDs
HOST was asked for comments. No response from the State.
Clarifications to be provided.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 5TH ANNUAL NATIONAL HARBOR SAFETY CONFERENCE
Robin attended the Harbor Safety Conference in New York
Generally, the issues discussed seem universal) Five Topics were covered:
Port and Waterway Safety Assessment
Recreational vs. Commercial traffic
Recreation people do not know about HOST
Baltimore has Outreach program – Hawaii to get a copy
What is the role of HOST in Harbors Security?
In general, can’t have safety without security
Some committees actually changing the names to Harbor Safety
and Security Committee
Technology for Management and Operations of Ports
NOAA is willing to update charts in Hawaii
Various venders talked about their vessel tracking systems
Value of HOST in National Transportation System
(MTS = Marine Transportation System) Showed Video in MTS
95% of imports/exports are via shipping
Ships, trains, locks, intermodal systems, barges, ports & terminals
US Customs a part of MTS
EPA and the environment a part of MTS
Harbors Safety Committees a part of MTS
We need to invest in MTS
– mega terminals
– deeper harbors
– larger ships
– expand capacity
– economy will suffer
The next National Safety Conference will be held in Florida. Thanks – Sause, Matson, Horizon Lines, Hawaii Pilots for the funds to send Robin to the conference
OLD BUSINESS
Kawaihae/Vessel conflict
Answer to our letter from the State – currently no initiatives but willing to work with HOST
Legend of the Seas
Terrorist threats
ICS established/FBI, US Coast Guard, others.
Commandant in town
Capability – Preparedness
Capacity – Do you have enough resources?
Partnerships – strategic partnerships
Port Security
DLNR/DOT responsible for Homeland Security
These may have a combined National Guard General in charge “One Stop Shop”
Future grant proposal for Homeland Security may happen. USCG will be giving guidance on how to fill out application
Some harbors too closely quartered to meet security requirements. Limited sea space
Port Security Plan – 541-2477
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HOST applied for grant from OMC Foundation for boating safety campaign @ $40,000 for a 5 year program to run safety PSAs during Boating Safety Week.
Combined Federal Campaign appears to be going through.
Gilbert Kanazawa – Gave a presentation on “Sons and Daughters of Hawaii Seafarers”
Bob Kraus
Sons & Daughters of Hawaii Seafarers
Preserve Maritime Heritage
Maritime Museum
Falls of Clyde
First meeting to be held May 16th, 6pm, at the Maritime Museum
ADJOURN – The next HOST membership meeting will be held on June 19th at the USCG Club 14