The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas’ first water-propelled jetpack operator is set to launch in early January 2016, after a nearly three-year wait for the necessary approvals.

Lincoln Deal II, founder and chief executive of Jetlink Adventures Ltd, told Tribune Business yesterday that his water sports business would enhance the Bahamian tourism offering.

“We began this process in May of 2013,” he said. “We never gave up, and it shows that despite the obstacles and the the setbacks we persevered and stuck with it. We believed in the product, and we believe that this would do well in our tourism sector and enhance our tourism offering.

“We are officially launching the first week in January. We are basically finalising our packages. A lot of people have been asking for prices, as well as when and where they can book. We are completing that, and then we will update those things to our website and all the social media platforms.”

Mr Deal added: “Currently we have about five people employed. We have certified jetpack instructors that were trained internationally to be hydro-jetpack pilots. The  training course is complete now and we have about three pilots. The other persons would be for booking and reservations, liaising with hotels and cruise ships.

“We just started our marketing campaign about a week ago, and so far the response has been overwhelming. We have gotten a lot of interest, especially from locals.

Mr Deal said Jetlink Adventures carries six jet products. “We don’t carry out all six on a daily basis; we usually have about three out at a time. Currently, we are operating at Goodman’s Bay. I think we will utiliae that site for a while. It’s good for parking and it is a good public beach,” he added.

  Mr Deal said his dream had been assisted by funded from The Bahamas Entrepreneurial Venture Fund.

“From day one they fully endorsed it,” he said. “They believed in the project and that it could be good for the tourism sector.

“There is a major complaint now that there are a lack of activities in the Bahamas. Whether they are cruise or stopover visitors, the complaints are still the same; they are looking for something fresh.

“This was definitely something that the Venture Fund believed in. They also believed in me as a young entrepreneur. Beyond the product I believe they want to see young Bahamians succeed, and that really meant a lot to me personally.”

Jetlink Adventures was initially billed as a $1.5 million project, but encountered delays and difficulties in obtaining the necessary permits and approvals from the New Providence Port Authority after it submitted its application in May 2013.

The Authority had been concerned over whether Jetlink Adventures was governed, and covered, by existing legislation and regulations.

The company’s Jetlev-flyer uses a motor boat connected to a 33-foot hose that is attached to a US Coast Guard approved Jetpack, which flies as high as 30 feet above water.