David Y. Ige

(Honolulu) – A new law passed during the 2019 legislative session requires that all applicable vessels have insurance with a minimum of $100,000 in coverage that will cover the removal and salvage of a grounded vessel.

This law applies to all vessels 26-feet in length and greater that are required to be registered in the state or that are documented with the U.S. Coast Guard and are operating in state waters. The law does not apply to vessels less than 26-feet in length, except for where the vessel owner has grounded a vessel in the past.

Boats moored in DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) facilities already comply with insurance requirements set by the Department of Accounting and General Services for use of state facilities. The new insurance requirement will effectively apply to all other recreational vessels that are trailered, housed in private marinas, etc.

Beginning March 1, 2020 DOBOR will begin requiring people who renew their vessel registrations to show proof of the required insurance coverage, if applicable.

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Media contact:

AJ McWhorter
Communications Specialist
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
[email protected]
808-587-0396 (Communications Office)