Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2309, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the operation of ocean watercraft more than one mile from shore unless it is equipped with a certified radio or emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).

Your Committee finds that requiring either a radio or EPIRB holds the potential to drastically reduce search and rescue missions at sea. Your Committee further agrees that these communication devices will more immediately enable authorities to pinpoint the location of malfunctioning or lost watercraft and thus more quickly rescue persons from serious injury or death due to lengthy exposure to ocean elements.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2309, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.