Lava Boat

[Kapolei]

did this about a year ago on similar boat. Way more activity right now. I might do it. But I wouldn’t take kids.

 

[slip]

How close is too close?

http://beatofhawaii.com/big-island-lava-boat-tour-explosion-injures-23-earthquake/

 

[1Kflyerguy]

How close is too close?

http://beatofhawaii.com/big-island-lava-boat-tour-explosion-injures-23-earthquake/

I heard this on the radio today. Personally i don't think i would take a boat trip right now.

For some reason i feel more comfortable with helicopter tours, but even those seem a bit risky right now.

 

[JIMinNC]

I heard this on the radio today. Personally i don't think i would take a boat trip right now.

For some reason i feel more comfortable with helicopter tours, but even those seem a bit risky right now.

There is an FAA Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the active areas now, which prohibits overflights by aircraft (other than official traffic) below 20,000 feet above ground level over the Halemaumau summit and below 3000 feet above the east rift zone eruption where the active lava is flowing on the surface and into the sea. So all tour helicopters must stay over 3000 feet over the active lava, and there is little chance of debris at that altitude. Visual flight rules (and common sense) also dictate that they stay clear of the laze and steam plumes.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

There is an FAA Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the active areas now, which prohibits overflights by aircraft (other than official traffic) below 20,000 feet above ground level over the Halemaumau summit and below 3000 feet above the east rift zone eruption where the active lava is flowing on the surface and into the sea. So all tour helicopters must stay over 3000 feet over the active lava, and there is little chance of debris at that altitude. Visual flight rules (and common sense) also dictate that they stay clear of the laze and steam plumes.

View attachment 7449

Thanks, I thought I remember their being some sort of flight restrictions. Assuming the tour operators follow that, the helicopter torus should be pretty safe.

I know there have been issues in the past with the Lave Boats going closer than the Coast Guard allows, and i some some news reports that the boat from yesterday was closer than allowed. Believe the boats are restricted to staying 300 meters away, which is actually pretty far out. You would probably want binoculars at that distance. I am guessing the passengers complain, so the boat captains move closer until something bad happens.

 

[DaveNV]

Thanks, I thought I remember their being some sort of flight restrictions. Assuming the tour operators follow that, the helicopter torus should be pretty safe.

I know there have been issues in the past with the Lave Boats going closer than the Coast Guard allows, and i some some news reports that the boat from yesterday was closer than allowed. Believe the boats are restricted to staying 300 meters away, which is actually pretty far out. You would probably want binoculars at that distance. I am guessing the passengers complain, so the boat captains move closer until something bad happens.

A friend sent this text to me about this very topic. “Hawaii tour boat update: boat had “special exemption” to approach lava flow to 50meters. Normal Coast Guard restriction: 300 m. Boat was “inside 50 m”. Injured passengers had to ride rough sea for one hour to dock and seek medical care. Investigation to follow.”

If it’s negligence, I suspect somebody is going to lose a license.

Dave

 

[TXTortoise]

Probably the guy that tried to take us out in February in high winds, early morning dark. Pushed back from harbor ramp and immediately got hung up on a rock. Was able to break us loose and get to ramp so folks could get off. Was a bit iffy while hung up on rock in the dark. No idea how bad it would have been if we'd cleared breakwater with high winds. Did miss getting the lava pour off photos though. ;-)