Photo Courtesy of DLNR (Daniel Dennison)

(LĪHUʻE) – Next Tuesday, Jan. 25, boaters and mariners using the Nawiliwili Harbor on Kaua‘i are being informed of U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) operations that will impact activity for a short time.

A contract response team will be conducting boom operations at the Dept. of Transportation Pier A from 8:00-10:00 a.m. The booming is for the USCG Sector Honolulu Geographic Response Strategy (GRS) in the event of a spill in the harbor. Ingress and egress into the harbor will not be affected during these times.

Secondary boom operations will happen at the mouth of the Huleia River and the Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor (SBH) inlet from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Access to and from the recreational launch ramp and wharfage area will be restricted with no ingress or egress permitted.

The USCG tests and validates GRS at different harbors each year by deploying booms to contain potential spills.

Jeremiah Aguilera, Acting Kaua‘i District Manager for the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) said, “Shutting down our launch ramp and wharfage area is only a temporary inconvenience for harbor users but will pay-off for all users and the marine environment in the event of a spill. So, we appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience.”