The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet minister yesterday told jet ski and watercraft operators they can return to work on November 15 provided they complete their licence applications and participate in industry training.

Jobeth Coleby-Davis, minister for housing and transport, told the House of Assembly: “The commercial recreational watercraft industry is a critical component of the tourism product. With our abundance of sun, sand and sea, thousands flocked to our shores with dreams of parasailing, riding jet skis and experiencing the exhilaration of banana boat rides.”

While campaigning in the run-up to the last general election, Mrs Coleby-Davis said she and her fellow PLP election candidates received multiple complaints from “hundreds” of water sports operators about how their businesses had been shut down indefinitely by the Minnis administration amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

They argued there was no reason or justification for this when other businesses in the boating and marine industries were allowed to operate, and the newly-elected Davis administration now agrees with that position

“From March 2020, the former administration without justification or explanation determined that whilst almost every other sector was allowed to reopen, commercial watercraft operators would be shut down,” Mrs Coleby-Davis said.

“I am pleased to announce that the commercial recreation watercraft industry, closed since March 2020, will re-open on Monday, November 15, 2021. In re-opening the industry, all operators will be required to complete their licence application and participate in mandatory industry training, the first session of which is scheduled for Monday, November 8, 2021.”

The minister also acknowledged: “We recognise there are challenges that require us to enact the reforms that strengthen regulations, governance and discipline within the industry.”

Astra Nottage, director of sales and marketing for My Own Watersports, told Tribune Business she is “excited” to be back in business but did not understand why it took the Government so long to end the bar on jet skis operating.

She said: “We’re still very struck that it has taken this long, given the many statements we gave The Tribune over the previous months. We think this could have been resolved months ago, especially because other areas within our sector, like charters and boating trips, were being allowed to conduct business.”

The wait was “unjustified”, Ms Nottage added, as watercraft operators also have families to take care of. She is “not happy” with the sector’s near 20-month enforced shutdown.

The equipment at My Own Watersports is still in working condition and has not deteriorated, “but this still takes manpower and we have persons come in. The machines can’t sit and wait,” she said.

“Our owner is a boat captain and he’s also a licensed mechanic, so he’s able to do it. But it still requires staff and that’s still money being deducted out of zero.”

Ms Nottage is “not sure” how many staff will be recalled, adding that this depends on how the first week of business shapes up and the tourism industry’s wider re-opening.

“Safety was never an issue for us. Following government protocols is never an issue. It’s always been if whether or not the government protocols are fair for all, and are they appropriate and applicable to all sectors,” she said.