Say No to Jet Skis - Please let your voice be heard

[Jody]

I totally enjoyed the ban, when we were there in Feb. I was about to email the people on Gail's list, when I read Rob's reply.
I understand both sides of this story.
Personally, I'd prefer the jet ski operators move to an activity that is a little more health conscious. Maybe kayaking, or some other non-motorized way of enjoying the sea.
I'll give the authorities the benefit of the doubt in this case. I've seen the reduction of "higglers" on the beach this year. I didnt think it was possible to control these aggressive vendors, but apparently, they've managed to do it. We found a lot less than previous years..
If they could find a way to control that, maybe they can control jet skis too. I have to assume that they know that anyone relaxing on the beach dont want to be bothered with jet skis, and they will keep our best interest in mind. They dont want to lose tourist dollars either. I'll wait and see before I pass judgement.

[need some sun]

Here's some ideas...

JAMAICA
Be green, be unique, be an example to the rest of the world.
Lower pollution, create less noise, have safer waters, and attract more tourists.
Add spot: (3 sec clips of beaches with jet skis ripping by, obnoxiously loud, with blue smoke coming out the back, just missing swimmers / Cut to a peaceful Jamaica beach, two people in lounge chairs, drinking Red Stripe, watching whales swim by ) Announcer speaks,"Jamaica, feel the vibe".

OPERATORS
For every used jet ski buy 3 kayaks.
Rent the kayaks and triple your business.
Provide guided tours to increase employment.
Less fuel and maintenance equals more profits.

OWNERS
Buy a boat, they're much more fun.

[Ktans]

"Island wide there are quite a few jobs that have been eliminated due to the ban. There may very well be a ton of individuals who are no longer employed due to the ban, from the owner/operators, staff, mechanics, sales people, co-riders (for those who have never rode one before), etc..."

I assumed that elcyd's reference to that "underemployed town" implied Negril....and when someone says "a ton", I'm thinking in the thousand range. Do you think that the ban of Jetskis in Negril has resulted in the loss of a thousand jobs?

Being that tourism is the mainstay of Negril's economy, it makes sense that tourists' concerns/input would be considered.

[Miguel]

No jet ski's please!

[RyanP]

If they want jet skis on the beach, they need to have a centralized rental location farther up the beach where there are fewer swimmers and sunbathers. Renting the jet skis cannot be a profitable business. The Jamaican "employees" ride those jet skis around more than the tourists, and they drive the jet skis much like they drive on the road. With the cost of gas, the profits have to be miniscule. When the tourists were injured/killed, was the jet ski operator an "employee" or tourist?

[Rob]

If they want jet skis on the beach, they need to have a centralized rental location farther up the beach where there are fewer swimmers and sunbathers. Renting the jet skis cannot be a profitable business. The Jamaican "employees" ride those jet skis around more than the tourists, and they drive the jet skis much like they drive on the road. With the cost of gas, the profits have to be miniscule. When the tourists were injured/killed, was the jet ski operator an "employee" or tourist?

Ryan,

That is essentially the plan, a centralized rental location farther up the beach where all the operators are located. There wont be employees riding around anymore as in the past, as they will not be permitted to leave that centralized area.

The incident in Ochi last August were caused by a tourist, and the incident in Negril was caused by one of the sales operator after assisting other guests with their jet skis.

[Maryann]

If there was a good hospital and adequate medical coverage in Negril, I might agree with you, Rob.

[need some sun]

5% is a large amount.

[Smokin Kevan]

I remember until a few years ago, Jetski's were pretty far off the shore... Then starting in like 06, every time we came back the swimming area was closer and closer to shore, bringing the jet ski's closer and closer. At 1st somebody told me it was the natural course of the Carribbean Sea, which often controls the shoreline. With a little thought, that seemed super false, in that it happened year after year and no matter what, it seems the swimming area buoys could be pushed farther out. That would have "theoretically" pushed the Jetski's back out. I'm sure someone else noticed the shrinking swimming zone between hotel's and buoys between let's say 2004 and 2014... I'm all for people earning a living, but wonder about the will to enforce rules once enacted.

Happy Travels

Skb

[Rob]

...I'm sure someone else noticed the shrinking swimming zone between hotel's and buoys between let's say 2004 and 2014... I'm all for people earning a living, but wonder about the will to enforce rules once enacted.

Happy Travels

Skb

Kevan,

Those swimming area buoys are put in place by each individual property to mark their own swimming zones. They are not permanently anchored and can be pulled in during rough weather. They are not always put back in the exact same location, so that would account for how they can "change" over time. The excuse you were given was "super false".

The buoys are simply markers, they have no legislative value. Jet skis routinely would ride inside the buoys because there was no real law preventing them from doing so. Operators were asked to observe the buoys, and the Marine Police could warn the operators, but that was the extent of their legal powers.

The new, regulated jet ski zones would be much farther out by a factor of 5 or more depending on the current position of an individual property's buoys. The ban will not be lifted until all these factors, including easy enforcement are put in place.

As I have mentioned, the government is taking this very seriously. To quote the JIS (Jamaican Information Service):

"The Minister added that the Task Force will provide information on the requirements for licensing of all persons operating currently.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica Customs, Jamaica Defence Force, Tourist Board, Maritime Authority of Jamaica, Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, National Environment and Planning Agency, Port Authority of Jamaica and the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) are members of the Task Force."

There are 9 government agencies working on all aspects of these new regulations. The ban will not be lifted until all parties agree on the new guidelines and how they will be regulated, from importation and duty. licensing and taxation, safety of riders and swimmers, police and enforcement as well as the environmental impact. The will to enforce will have the powers of 9 government agencies behind it.