Fred,Originally Posted by Fred Stripe
From August of last year:
"Seven-year-old Tanoya Hyman of Christiana, Manchester, was killed in a jet ski accident in Ocho Rios, St Ann, over the weekend.
The Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), the police information arm, reported that about 3:00 pm on Saturday, Hyman was playing in the sand at the Ocho Rios Bay Beach with two of her family members when tragedy struck.
Police report that a jet ski, which was being driven by a male tourist, allegedly lost control and collided with the child, killing her on the spot."
Because a young Jamaican girl was killed by a tourist, this issue was already being discussed and regulations suggested after the August incident - this is from October of last year:
"The Government is taking action to regulate jet ski operations, which should result in a reduction of jet skiing accidents at marine recreational areas and a clamp- down on illegal commercial operators.
Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Dr Wykeham McNeill announced in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 15, that Cabinet had approved a six-month suspension on the importation of all jet skis for commercial use.
Additionally, the ministry has consulted with the marine police and the Jamaica Defence Force Coastguard, which will conduct enforcement activities to seize and detain the illegal vessels.
McNeill added that there will be strengthening of regulations for the safe use of jet skis in harbours and bays. In consultation with the maritime authority, it has been decided that activities in all resort areas will be done beyond swimming areas and away from ships and piers.
It is a matter of safety ... . this was not arrived at lightly," he emphasised."
Since the tragedy in Negril in January, the government instituted an island wide ban to stop all possible incidents from occurring.
