Permit· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii

Visiting-Yacht Berthing and Anchoring in Hilo (DOBOR Office)

19° 43.1′ N · 155° 4.6′ W

Since Hawaii DOT closed Radio Bay to transient vessels in April 2020, a visiting yacht in Hilo anchors in Hilo Bay inside the breakwater or seeks a state mooring through DLNR's Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, whose Hilo office is in the State Office Building on Aupuni Street.

Practical

Coordinate is the State Office Building, 75 Aupuni Street, Hilo (Nominatim), where the Wailoa Sampan Basin and Boat Harbor office is Suite 210, phone (808) 933-0414. WHAT IS CLOSED: Radio Bay (DOT Harbors) - DOT announced on April 15, 2020 that it was 'immediately and permanently closing to all transient vessels'; recreational permits for a local canoe club and education programs were unaffected (Latitude 38). The commercial piers are not for yachts except by DOT arrangement. WHERE YOU CAN GO: (1) Anchor in Hilo Bay inside the breakwater, outside the Radio Bay basin, west of Kaulainaiwi Island in 25-35 ft (Coast Pilot); holding poor to patchy mud, exposed to trades and surge (see Hilo Bay Anchorage entry). DLNR administers this water and Latitude 38 reported $10 per person per day plus a vessel-size fee (2020 - verify locally). (2) State moorings - Reeds Bay has 25 moorings and Wailoa Sampan Basin 50 moorings and 2 ramps (DOBOR), but the Wailoa entrance has a 12 ft fixed bridge and shoal water, and moorings are mostly held by permit-holders; ask the office about any temporary space. INSURANCE: DOBOR mooring permits require $500,000 boat liability (P&I) naming the State of Hawaii, DLNR DOBOR as additional insured, and since March 1, 2020 HRS 200-13.5 requires boats 26 ft and over operating in state waters to carry at least $100,000 covering removal and salvage of a grounded vessel. Carry your certificate. DOBOR Hawaii District office: Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, Kailua-Kona, (808) 327-3690. DLNR enforcement 643-3567. Clear in with CBP first if arriving from abroad.

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Knowing where a visiting yacht can legally stay in Hilo

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