By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE man accused of punching an American tourist after allegedly posing as a jet ski operator at Goodman’s Bay was neither licensed nor carrying an authentic Port Department identification badge, Transport Minister Leon Lundy has confirmed.

Mr Lundy said the man was not operating through the authorised jet ski system and stressed that only operators who have completed the required training and received an official badge are permitted to solicit customers.

It is unclear whether the alleged perpetrator has been arrested.

The minister was responding to allegations from Briana Bazel, 25, of Ohio, who said a man approached her and her best friend at Goodman’s Bay on September 11 after a jet ski excursion they had booked online was cancelled.

Ms Bazel said the man presented himself as a jet ski operator and tour guide and offered them a sightseeing and jet ski package.

She alleged that after they continued socialising later that night, the man became angry when she rejected his sexual advances and punched her in the face outside a lounge.

Mr Lundy expressed sympathy for Ms Bazel and urged anyone who feels threatened at beaches or elsewhere in The Bahamas to report the matter to police.

“I actually do feel sorry for the lady with the event,” Mr Lundy said, “and I want anybody in that type of event to go ahead and report it to police first.”

Mr Lundy said the government was not “sitting back and just allowing it to happen” and said new measures were forthcoming.

“We’re doing what we must do as a ministry,” he said, “and you’ll see in short order that we’ll have some technology rolled out that’ll help assist and mitigate these situations from happening.”

Mr Lundy said the Port Department is also partnering with the police Sex Crimes Unit to incorporate guidance into jet ski operator training on how operators should handle certain situations appropriately.

The US State Department has repeatedly warned travellers about risks associated with jet ski and personal watercraft operations in The Bahamas.

Its current travel information says some operators are not licensed or insured and refers to sexual assaults, injuries and deaths associated with the industry.

US government employees are prohibited from renting jet skis or personal watercraft from independent operators.

Those warnings intensified amid a series of reported sexual assaults involving American tourists and jet ski operators in recent years.