The Tribune

By KYLE WALKINE

Tribune Staff Reporter

kwalkine@tribunemedia.net

A PARTNER in JetLink Adventures has called for the resignation of New Providence Port Authority (NPPA) Chairman Tavares Laroda and the members of his board after the company’s application to obtain a licence to operate ten water-propelled jetpacks was denied.

Lincoln Deal Sr, of JetLink Adventures, received the board’s decision this week.

“The chairman once again made a gross discriminative ruling, which everyone including lawyers and port officials,

are puzzled about,” Mr Deal told The Tribune.

“It is also a gross embarrassment to the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, the Port Department, the government and our country at large. This is the second time that this application has been wrongfully denied, the first time being

in October of last year, when we in fact proved that his initial concern did not make sense.”

Mr Laroda’s decision, a copy of which was obtained by The Tribune, states that “the board has reviewed the materials provided by the applicant and confirms that there has been no determination of the number of the crafts (if any), which may be registered in the Bahamas or any part thereof, pursuant as provided in Section 11(4) of the Act. As no such determination has been made, the application is denied”.

However, Mr Deal told The Tribune that his company asked Mr Laroda last Thursday if there were any additional

questions or concerns regarding its application and was told that the board had everything it needed.

Mr Deal said he and his partner have been put through an application process that is far from normal.

In an interview with The Tribune last week, Mr Laroda dismissed claims of bias in the NPPA board’s consideration

of licencing the jet packs. However, a major concern he said was the safety of the packs to be used and the close proximity to cruise ships in the area.

“These applicants are seeking to operate at Nassau Harbour which is opposite the Junkanoo Beach, a very popular location for beachgoers, locals and tourists alike. Also bear in mind that this is the same Nassau Harbour

where the cruise lines move in and out of. It must also be noted that the location they seek is a no water-craft zone,” Mr Laroda said.

However, in a letter sent to Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin last month, an official from the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) described the safety record of the jet powered water sport toys as “impeccable”.

JetLink Adventures said it has also received an endorsement from the United States’ Coast Guard.

Mrs Hanna-Martin told The Tribune the entrepreneurs now have the right to file an appeal, which will bring the matter before her for review.

“The jetlev is a new product, never before licenced in the Bahamas,” she said.

“The determination has to be made whether we will licence his (product) at all. After that, we will determine how we do that. While I understand Mr Deal’s anxiety, my duty is to ensure that the state understands the product’s

safety implications, if any, and make a determination based on full knowledge.”

She added that during her last term in office, the government put in place certain regulations for water sports because the industry was out of control.

JetLink Adventures said despite the NPPA’s refusal to grant the company a licence it will not give up on the issue.