Section 13-231-45 - Vessel inspections(a) An inspection conducted by an approved vessel inspector is deemed to meet the requirements of the marine inspection required by section 200-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and may be valid for a period of two years.(b) Before a regular mooring permit is issued or renewed, the vessel owner shall complete a satisfactory vessel inspection conducted by an approved vessel inspector, or present a certificate not more than two years old to the department at the owner's own expense, signed by an approved marine surveyor certifying the surveyor has inspected the vessel and considers it to fulfill the minimum requirements described in Exhibit "B" located at the end of this chapter and incorporated herein, entitled "vessel inspection report" and dated July 2012. The department reserves the right to inspect any vessel to ensure that any deficiencies or omissions noted on a marine inspection have been corrected prior to issuing a mooring permit. All vessel owners shall also demonstrate to the department that their vessel is capable of navigating beyond the confines of the harbor and returning under its own power to its assigned mooring/berth prior to the mooring permit being issued.(c) Commercial vessels carrying more than six passengers for hire are exempted from the provisions of Subsections (a) and (b) when evidence of a current Coast Guard certificate of inspection is presented.(d) Owners of vessels failing the vessel inspection shall have thirty days to correct deficiencies and complete the inspection. Failure to do so will preclude re-issuance of the use permit or be cause for rejection of the application for mooring.(e) The department may extend the deadline for correction of deficiencies prescribed in subsection (d) if the vessel owner presents conclusive evidence to the department that the granting of additional time is reasonable and essential due to the necessity of replacing essential parts and gear and that reasonable and diligent efforts by the owner to secure the items necessary to repair the vessel or replacement of parts is demonstrated, and further provided that any extension of time for compliance shall not exceed sixty days.(f) Owners of vessels that fail the vessel inspection may contest the decision before an arbitration board as established in section 200-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The costs of the arbitration shall be borne by the vessel owner if it is determined that the vessel does not meet the minimum requirements to moor in a small boat harbor in accordance with these rules. No additional time allowance for the correction of deficiencies will be granted following arbitration and the vessel shall be removed from the harbor. The costs of the arbitration shall be borne by the State if it is determined that the vessel does meet minimum requirements.(g) The fee for a vessel inspection conducted by the department, pursuant to this section shall be as prescribed in section 13-234-29 provided that holders of commercial use permits and registration certificates with proof of certification of inspection from the United States Coast Guard shall be exempt from this requirement or state fees associated therewith.(h) A person who desires to become an approved marine surveyor shall apply to the department upon a form furnished by the department and pay the application fee prescribed in section 13-234-30.(i) An application to become an approved marine surveyor shall not be accepted by the department unless the applicant is engaged wholly or partly in the business of performing marine surveys for gain or compensation and the person's surveys are acceptable to at least one insurance company or surety company authorized to do business in the State, and is a member of a nationally recognized marine surveyor organization as approved by the department.(j) An approved marine surveyor permit shall be valid for a period of three years from date of issuance. The department reserves the right to revoke any approved marine surveyor permit at any time prior to the expiration of the permit.(k) A satisfactory vessel inspection shall consist of the following:(1) Presentation of the vessel to be inspected at a place designated by the harbor agent;(2) A demonstration that the vessel is capable of being regularly navigated beyond the confines of the harbor or mooring area and maneuvering into and out of the assigned berth;(3) A finding that the vessel and all systems are in good material and operating condition; and(4) A finding that the reguirements described in Exhibit B, entitled "vessel inspection report", dated July 2012, and located at the end of this chapter, are met. Applicable standards published by the U.S. Coast Guard and the American Boat and Yacht Council, Inc. (ABYC) shall be used in conducting the vessel inspection, and are adopted and incorporated herein by reference.
(l) A marine survey shall be required for any vessel which has undergone any substantial reconstruction, alteration, or modification of the original vessel design, certifying that such reconstruction, alteration or modification does not materially affect the vessel's stability or maneuverability, and the existing power plant is in good operating condition and meets the minimum power requirement necessary for safe navigation beyond the confines of the small boat harbor or offshore mooring area in which it is moored. Any vessel operating under a commercial use permit or registration certificate that can produce evidence of a valid United States Coast Guard inspection certification for the above condition shall not be required to obtain a separate marine survey. A certificate of protection and indemnity insurance for the vessel, in an amount of not less than $100,000, naming the State as an additional insured, shall be required in addition to the marine survey.(m) No modification or alteration to a houseboat moored in Keehi Lagoon which changes the length, beam or size of silhouette area from that which existed at the time of issuance of the initial mooring permit shall be allowed without prior approval of the department, provided that routine maintenance and repairs for safety, security and structural integrity shall be allowed.[Eff 2/24/94/ am and comp SEP 25 2014] (Auth: HRS §§ 200-1, 200-2, 200-4, 200-9, 200-10) (Imp: HRS §§ 200-1, 200-2, 200-4, 200-9, 200-10)