NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas has embarked on beefing up safety measures in the Jet Ski Industry. On Tuesday, January 12, a press conference was held at the Ministry of Transport making the announcement.
The new measures come on the heels of a sexual assault of a female American tourist by an unlicensed Jet Ski operator during the first week of January: an advisory was issued by the United States Embassy on January 5, warning its citizens against patronizing the Jet Ski industry in New Providence.
Leading the press conference was Minister of Transport and Aviation, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin who commenced by thanking the multi-governmental agencies for their continuing efforts and support, particularly with the new initiatives in the water sports industry in New Providence.
Owners and Operators of the Jet Ski industry in attendance at a press conference at the Ministry of Transport, January 12, 2016 to announce new safety measures being taken by the Government with respect to the Jet Ski business. (BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham)
The Minister said: “This work began several years ago as a collaboration of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, the Port Department, the Port Authority, Royal Bahamas Defence Force and industry stakeholders. In furtherance of this collaboration, additional measures will be immediately implemented.”
The new measures will include, among other things: sea-based patrol by RBDF officers on jet skis providing surveillance of beach areas during hours of operation, which is now in place; and a new self-monitoring initiative in which beach marshals have been selected from the body of Jet Ski operators — introducing the new and very important component of industry-based self-supervision.
“This will be combined with the recruitment of additional port enforcement officers, who will be in post over the next several weeks,” said the Minister.
She said that new signage will also be introduced to provide clear directives to patrons of Jet Ski operations. Furthermore, Minister Hanna-Martin said that she is currently in dialogue with the Minister of National Security on the role the RBDF will play in increasing surveillance.
“These further reforms build upon work already undertaken by the Ministry in a commitment to create a rational and well-ordered industry,” she said.
By Betty Vedrine
Bahamas Information Services
