HONOLULU — The Coast Guard Captain of the Port has outlined the requirements to request entrance to the Kilauea lava ocean entry temporary safety zone.
“The Coast Guard is clarifying the process for requesting entry to the temporary safety zone for all waterway users,” said Lt. Cmdr. Nicholas Jarboe, chief of waterways management Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “Sound risk management, contingency planning and response, and regulatory frameworks help us ensure the safety of life at sea and that the maritime sector remains safe, secure, and resilient.”
Those wishing to enter the safety zone are required to submit a written request to the Captain of the Port Honolulu. The factors that may be considered include: the vessel’s material condition, safety equipment, redundancies, general safety practices and procedures, specific safety practices and procedures for operating near the lava ocean entry, familiarity with the surrounding waters, and mariner’s experience operating as a Coast Guard-credentialed mariner. Requests should be mailed to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, 400 Sand Island Parkway Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 or email to D14-SMB-SecHonoMarineEventPermits@uscg.mil.
March 28, the Coast Guard established a temporary Safety Zone under Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 165.T14-0172 which may not be entered without the prior permission of the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Honolulu.
The Safety Zone encompasses all waters extending 300 meters (984 feet) in all directions around all entry points of lava into the ocean associated with the lava flow at the Kamokuna Lava Delta.