The Tribune

By ANNELIA NIXON

TRIBUNE Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

THE GOVERNMENT is preparing to introduce new technology and strengthen education and enforcement measures to help tourists identify legitimate watersports operators after an American visitor was allegedly assaulted by a man purporting to be a licensed jet ski operator.

Leon Lundy, minister of transport, said the man accused of punching Ohio resident, Briana Bazel, in the face was not an authorised jet ski operator and did not possess an authentic Port Department identification badge.

“Well, let me just say firstly about the allegation, I actually do feel sorry for the lady with the event, and I want anybody in that type of event to go ahead and report it to police first,” Mr Lundy said. “For the Port Department, the alleged gentleman that is involved, he didn’t have an authentic badge. He isn’t an official jet ski operator, and the police are doing their investigations now.”

Ms Bazel reported that she and a friend encountered the man at Goodman’s Bay after an online jet ski excursion they had booked was cancelled. She said the man presented himself as a legitimate jet ski operator and tour guide, showed what appeared to be an identification badge and offered the women a package including sightseeing and jet ski rides.

Ms Bazel alleged that later that night, after she rejected his sexual advances, he grabbed her arm and punched her in the face outside of a nightclub. Police confirmed she filed a complaint and subsequently issued a wanted poster for the man.

Mr Lundy said the Port Department will assist police with their investigation and urged anyone experiencing threats or violence to report the matter. He acknowledged the potential impact such incidents can have on The Bahamas’ tourism product anbd reputation, particularly given long-standing concerns about effective regulation and enforcement within the water sports sector.

“At the end of the day, there’s always a concern when anything threatens the lifeline of The Bahamas, especially tourism, our number one industry,” Mr Lundy said.

“But, at the end of the day, we’re not sitting back and just allowing it to happen, even though there are allegations. We’re doing what we must do as a ministry, and you’ll see in short order that we’ll have some technology rolled out that’ll help assist and mitigate these situations from happening.”

Mr Lundy said the alleged operator was operating outside the regulated jet ski system, and added that the Government also intends to place greater emphasis on helping visitors recognise authentic operator identification.

“No one can come and render any kind of soliciting unless they have that badge that’s there that shows that they have been through all of the training,” Mr Lundy said.

The Port Department is also partnering with the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s sex crime unit to incorporate additional material into operator training, he said. Mr Lundy said the Government will also educate Bahamians and visitors on what an authentic operator badge looks like.

“That’ll come in education, and that’s what we’re about to do: Enforcement, education, and a lot of training,” he added.

The Government’s response comes amid renewed scrutiny of the jet ski and personal watercraft industry, following previous allegations from tourists and other operators, and warnings from US authorities about risks associated with the sector.

Astra Charlton, director of business development at My Own Water Sports, said the focus should remain on the alleged victim and the effectiveness of the regulatory system rather than solely on the industry’s reputation.

“My first concern remains the young woman’s well-being and the proper investigation of her complaint,” Ms Charlton said. “An allegation of violence must be treated as a matter of personal safety and justice, not simply as bad publicity for an industry. Protecting the reputation of The Bahamas begins with protecting people.”

She encouraged visitors and residents to book excursions in advance through recognised, established businesses using official websites or valid booking platforms. Ms Charlton said booking platforms can provide an additional layer of accountability because they may require supplier identity verification, Business Licence information and liability insurance confirmation.

She also pointed to provisions in the Commercial Recreational Watercraft Act that disqualify a person convicted of a criminal offence from obtaining an operator’s licence.

“The Port Authority is best placed to explain precisely how those requirements are checked, how renewals are assessed, and how criminal charges or convictions are communicated to licensing officials,” Ms Charlton said. “For us, enforcement remains the central concern.”

She added that My Own Water Sports had previously called for a visible certification system that would allow tourists to distinguish legitimate operators from unauthorised individuals. She said the company requested further engagement following Mr Lundy’s discussions with the US ambassador in June, but had not received this yet.

“There is fatigue in repeatedly being placed in a defensive position when we have been asking to participate in prevention,” Ms Charlton said. She added that her company has not been consulted on the technology Mr Lundy indicated will soon be introduced.

“My Own Water Sports has not been consulted on the proposed technology or asked to contribute our experience of how such measures would work in day-to-day operations,” Ms Charlton said. “We have not seen the system, so we cannot yet comment on its capabilities, its limitations or what its introduction will require of businesses and customers.

“Our commitment is to a watersport industry in which visitors can identify who is accountable, complaints receive a timely response, and responsible businesses can operate with confidence.”