HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	86
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONSIDER DEVELOPING PERMITTING PROVISIONS TO REQUIRE THAT EMPLOYEES OF WATERSPORT EXCURSION COMPANIES WHO TAKE CUSTOMERS ON WATERSPORT EXCURSIONS ARE TRAINED IN BASIC SAFETY MEASURES.

 

 

     WHEREAS, watersport excursion companies are commercial operations that take customers on excursions for the purpose of engaging in watersports, such as kayaking, snorkeling, surfing and stand-up paddle lessons, and scuba diving; and

 

     WHEREAS, watersport excursion companies, as well as other commercial recreational operations, are required to obtain a permit from the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources; and

 

     WHEREAS, the administrative rules of the Department of Land and Natural Resources do not currently require the employees of watersport excursion companies to be trained to render aid in the event of an emergency; and

 

     WHEREAS, taking consumers on watersport excursions without personnel present who are able to render aid if an emergency occurs raises potential safety issues; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to engage stakeholders to consider adopting permitting provisions requiring employees of watersport excursion companies who take customers on watersport excursions to be trained in basic water safety measures; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such requirements shall include training in first aid and cardio pulmonary resuscitation, but may not exceed licensure standards adopted by industry associations, such as those adopted by the scuba industry; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such requirements need not apply to employees who do not take customers out on excursions, such as employees who work solely in retail or reservations at a watersports excursion company or to vessels already regulated by the United States Coast Guard; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these requirements need not apply to every employee who takes customers on watersports excursions and the Department may determine whether requiring training for a defined percentage of employees present on an excursion is sufficient to protect customer and employee health and safety; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Report Title: 

Watersport Excursion Companies; Safety Training