Almost a year after the islandwide ban on the operation of private personal watercrafts or jet skis was lifted, most of the commercial areas have not restarted the activity.
This is as most areas have not yet implemented safety measures recommended by the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ).
The ban has only been lifted in Ocho Rios. However, Director General of the MAJ Rear Admiral Peter Brady says only private operators are currently earning revenue.
Brady explains that commercial operators are still finalising discussions with the Urban Development Corporation.
Brady says the UDC has laid down its own rules about the use of the beach.
“..They (private operators) are observing for instance the 200 metre distance from the shoreline, it is very important that this is emphasized,” he said.
The ban on jet skis was lifted on July 18 last year following a six-month ban to allow for the regularisation of commercial operations; and for steps to be taken by the MAJ to register all jet-skis.
The measures were applied in the wake of three accidents involving jet skis between August 2013 and January 2014.
Negril jet ski operations
Concerning Jet Ski operations in Negril, Brady wants a quick resumption was there is a lot of potential for business.
“We feel that with the proper demarcation and the laying of the lanes, as long as those things are in place, then there is no reason not to restart the operation. But you have to find a suitable place from which to launch,” he said.
Watercraft ban remains
In the meantime, the ban on the importation of watercrafts has not been lifted as discussions have not yet resumed.
“Because this has to be done on a multi agency basis to include the police, the coast guard, marine police… one of the reasons was that some of the areas were saturated and we just have to look at the carrying capacity of each operating area," Brady said.
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