USCG Reviewing Molokai Harbor Safari Explorer Yacht Rules

by Tish Kraft, Court House News

WASHINGTON (CN) - A U.S. Coast Guard temporary security zone to protect protesters from Hawaii's Safari Explorer yacht cruise is ending, and the USCG seeks input on how the rule may be improved.

On Nov. 26, 2011, protestors blocked the entrance of the channel leading into Kaunakakai Harbor, Molokai, Hawaii, with small vessels and people on surfboards, until the yacht left after 2 hours.

The protesters, individuals from a mostly rural island, claim they had not been consulted on the tourist draw.

The security zone allows the Coast Guard and its law enforcement partners to prevent people and vessels from intentionally blocking the channel for arrival and departure of the yacht. Under the rule, the protesters are allowed on the public pier where the passengers get off the boat.

The USCG put the rules into place with a temporary interim rule with comment period, and now is instituting a second comment period after posting a synopsis of informal public meetings.

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