By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunmedia.net

FORMER Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) president Robert Sands says the United States’ concerns about jet ski safety in The Bahamas are legitimate and are being taken seriously.

He noted that a jet ski task force has been working to improve the sector.

On Sunday, the US Department of State issued an updated travel advisory highlighting concerns about jet ski safety. The advisory said that boating in The Bahamas is not well regulated, leading to injuries and deaths. It also cited reports of sexual assaults by jet ski operators. Due to these risks, US government employees are prohibited from renting jet skis or personal watercraft from independent operators on New Providence and Paradise Island.

“Water craft  may not be safe, and  some operators are not licensed or insured,” the US advisory said. “Watercraft operators sometimes ignore weather forecasts. Always follow local weather and marine alerts.” 

The US Embassy has notified US citizens that the Department of State has updated the language in its standard Travel Advisory regarding jet ski safety in the Bahamas. 

When asked about the advisory’s statement on boating regulations, Mr Sands said he did not believe the US was blaming anyone, but rather raising valid concerns.

“We do not believe that this is a finger-pointing exercise at all,” he said. “I think the intent of the US Embassy is that they are raising a legitimate concern of issues that impact their citizens who participate in this activity once they’re here in The Bahamas. The task force recognises that a number of those concerns are, in fact, legitimate, and there is the opportunity for big improvement and correction in this area, and that is precisely what we’re working on to achieve.”

Mr Sands, a member of the water sports task force, said the group was formed to address safety concerns in the industry, particularly following the fatal shark attack on an American woman in December 2023. He emphasised that the US advisory is being taken seriously, with the task force working to implement positive changes.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force, Port Authority, Ministry of Tourism, hotel representatives, and other stakeholders have been meeting to enhance safety in the Jet Ski sector. The task force is focusing on ensuring operators are insured, improving compliance and training, strengthening the vetting process, and enforcing fair operating conditions.

“The overwhelming majority of the persons in this sector are compliant, and we’re working diligently to weed out those that are not compliant in the industry,” Mr Sands said.

The US Embassy said it looks forward to an update this week from the task force on its efforts to improve jet ski safety. It also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting these initiatives in coordination with local authorities.

The updated advisory categorised The Bahamas at Level 2, urging travellers to exercise increased caution. It noted that most crimes occur in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama. Visitors were advised to remain vigilant in Nassau’s “Over the Hill” area, south of Shirley Street, where gang-related violence has resulted in deaths.

The advisory also warned travellers to avoid swimming alone, be cautious of jet skis and other watercraft operating near the shore, and stay alert for sharks, as attacks have caused serious injuries and fatalities.

Additionally, the advisory reminded visitors that firearms and ammunition are illegal in The Bahamas, even in small quantities mistakenly carried in luggage. Police strictly enforce these laws, including at airports, and violations can result in arrest, jail time, and fines.