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Committee Weighs Exemptions for New ‘Sea Glider’ Vehicles; Coast Guard Oversight Highlighted
Summary
SB2400 SD1 would define and (partially) exempt winging/ground‑effect craft. Proponents presented a test video and called the vehicles efficient and low‑noise; lawmakers focused questions on Coast Guard regulation, harbor infrastructure, and marine‑sanctuary protections.
Lawmakers reviewed SB2400 SD1, which would create a statutory definition for wing and ground‑effect craft and exempt certain passenger operations from water‑carrier regulation while keeping cargo operations subject to oversight.
Regent Craft representatives played a video demonstration of a prototype “sea glider” and described hydrofoil‑assisted takeoff and low‑noise electric propulsion. Cedric Hughes of Regent explained the vehicle’s foil technology and said prototypes are undergoing testing in Rhode Island.
PUC staff said they need time to study whether passenger/cargo activities can be split across regulatory regimes; the U.S. Coast Guard, not the FAA, would be the federal regulator for the craft described.
Supporters framed the bill as an electrification and innovation opportunity; the Hawaii Community Development Authority and local stakeholders asked the legislature to consider harbor compatibility and possible terminal locations (Kūʻalā Basin Harbor was cited). Opponents and commenters asked about marine‑sanctuary avoidance and whether the boats’ operational envelopes would protect whales and protected areas.
Committee members requested additional technical details and clarified that the committee intends to adopt targeted language exempting passengers from PUC passenger regulation while leaving cargo under PUC oversight; the committee planned technical edits and to defect the effective date.
