Negril Resort Board buoyed by jet ski clampdown

Karrie Williams, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:The Negril Resort Board has expressed cautious optimism in response to the recent move by Minister of Tourism Wykeham McNeill to clamp down on unlicensed jet ski operators who have been causing safety and environmental concerns in the island's resort areas.

"Somehow, the minister has, based on all the consultations, seen where the problems do exist and wants to address them. However, the concern is never to just put things in place, but to ensure that the enforcement measures are actually done, because that's what we are suffering from now," board Chairman Cliff Reynolds told Western Focus on Wednesday.

The minister's actions come one month after the Negril Resort Board wrote to him recommending the immediate suspension of jet ski operations within the resort town until a review of the policy governing their operations was undertaken and completed.

The board had expressed displeasure with the huge number of unlicensed jet ski operators within the resort town who were threatening the viability of Negril's tourist product by, among other things, driving within buffer areas at high speeds, renting the unlicensed crafts to guests, and harassing tourists.

COMPLAINTS ABOUT POOR CONDUCT

The problem of the illegal jet skis re-emerged in a Western Focus article in July, citing that several tourists complained about what they said was the pollution being caused by the craft and the poor conduct of the operators.

Since then, two major jet ski accidents have occurred, including one in Negril where a Russian visitor who was rowing a kayak was seriously injured after colliding with an American visitor who was driving an illegal jet ski.

In the other incident which occurred in St Ann, a jet ski piloted by a visitor shot from the water on to land and killed a six-year-old.

During his address in the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon, McNeill announced, among other things, that Cabinet had approved a six-month suspension on the importation of all jet skis for commercial use and that the Ministry of Tourism had consulted with the marine police and the Jamaica Defence Force (JCF) Coastguard, which would now conduct concentrated enforcement activities to seize and detain all illegal vessels.

The minister said that the regulations regarding the safe use of jet skis along the island's coastal zones would be strengthened and that jet ski activities in all resort areas would be done beyond swimming areas, away from ships and piers.

He also said three zones, a minimum of 30 metres apart, would be introduced, namely: a swim zone, a non-motorised zone, and a general operating zone for motorised craft.

SEVERAL CONCERNS

McNeill said the decision was also prompted by concerns that there was harassment and drug peddling by illegal operators and oil discharge as well as noise pollution associated with the craft.

He said the Maritime Authority of Jamaica would introduce specialised courses for commercial operators and ensure that all commercial jet skis have visible identification and that no person under 18 years of age would be allowed to operate commercial jet skis without an accompanying adult.

But Reynolds also warned that unless there is sustained enforcement of the new regulations, the situation could, over time, revert to the lawlessness that has existed up to now.

"Some of the systems that have been recommended, like putting in a third zone for persons to stay off a distance (from swimmers), is a very good one. We have a (swim) zone; it's just not being adhered to, so it's gonna be very important to have enforcement step up.

"Regardless of third, fourth, fifth, or sixth zones, enforcement is the key," Reynolds said.

In calling for a lasting solution, the chairman said it would be beneficial if the police seized jet skis "independently of the TPDCo officers".

"Enforcement has to be sustainable; it has to be something that is there on an everyday basis and not just for a week, two weeks, and thereafter it's back to day one."

Reynolds also cautioned the stakeholders to match pledges and mandates with action.