Officials are investigating the death of a 14-year-old American tourist who was killed in a jet ski collision on Paradise Island just weeks after parliamentarians passed a bill to strengthen regulations governing water sports.
The victim, who was visiting The Bahamas from New Jersey, was riding a jet ski on Thursday afternoon when he lost control and collided with a boat, police reported yesterday.
Under the new law, no one under the age of 18 is allowed to operate or rent a jet ski.
The teen had suffered “serious injures” and was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital, police said.
The victim’s identity has yet to be released and it has not been revealed where he was staying, but officials said they are continuing to investigate the incident.
Meanwhile, the issue of water safety has been a hot topic of debate in recent years.
In November 2004, New York resident Anthony Moretti, 44, died on Paradise Island after his jet ski collided with one driven by his 13-year-old niece.
In August 2002, the two-year-old son of a British couple, Paul and Andrea Gallagher, died in hospital after being hit by a speedboat, which reportedly ran out of control while pulling a banana boat.
At that time, Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin said the government assured both the British High Commissioner and officials at the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs that legislation would be enacted here to regulate the industry.
In April, legislation was passed which regulated and controlled the commercial and recreational uses of watercraft throughout the country.
The new legislation imposes stiff penalties on individuals who operate jet skis without licences while restricting their use to adults. These penalties range from two years in prison to a maximum fine of $5,000.
Also stipulated under the legislation, both the operator and his/her craft must be licensed and no one under 18 will be allowed to operate or rent jet skis “in and around the waters of The Bahamas.”
In addition, the Bill forbids anyone from allowing a minor to operate jet skis. Violators of these provisions will be liable on summary conviction to a maximum $5,000 fine or two years in prison or both.
Further, jet skis must also slow to three knots or less when moving within 200 feet of a designated shoreline, and no craft will be allowed to tow a parasail boat or banana boat without a licensed operator. Also, all jet ski operators must obtain liability insurance coverage from an authorised insurer.
Another offence in the new legislation is the operation of watercraft while intoxicated or using a “controlled” substance. Violators will again be subject to a $5,000 fine or two years prison or both.
Currently there are licences for 272 jet skis, 18 parasail boats, 10 banana boats and 79 non-motorised craft.
By: JASMIN BONIMY, The Nassau Guardian
