May 27th, 2008
British Gov’t Warns About Bahamian Water Sports
By QUINCY PARKER

A top government official is issuing assurances in the face of a warning by an arm of the British government about the Bahamian water sports industry – that warning goes so far as to advise British nationals new to water sports not to rent water sports equipment.
A top government official is issuing assurances in the face of a warning by an arm of the British government about the Bahamian water sports industry – that warning goes so far as to advise British nationals new to water sports not to rent water sports equipment.

The Ministry of Tourism estimated that around 499,000 British nationals visited The Bahamas in 2006.

While the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said that most visits to The Bahamas are trouble-free, the body has warned British nationals travelling to The Bahamas about the water sports industry, which it says is "poorly regulated."

The FCO is the arm of the British government responsible for supporting British nationals overseas, whether they are travelling as tourists, or promoting British business interests.

Citing a number of accidents, including fatalities, the FCO advises travellers not to rent jet-skis unless you are an experienced jet-ski user.

Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, who has Cabinet responsibility for Foreign Affairs, noted that the government is always concerned about what he termed "adverse press anywhere in the world."

Mr. Symonette linked the warnings to the 2002 death of two-year-old Paul Gallagher, who was struck in the head by a runaway speedboat while he was asleep on a Paradise Island beach when his family was on vacation at the Atlantis Resort. The British toddler later died.

"I’m confident that the courts here did what they had to do – the Coroners Court and the Supreme Court – in terms of the investigation of this matter," the deputy prime minister said. "It appears that maybe the Gallaghers are not happy with the results, and they have raised this a level.

"Yes there needs to be more policing of our regulations in regards to water sports, but I think you’ll find there was an amendment to water sports legislation which requires jet-ski operators to have licences, insurance and so on and so forth."

However, the FCO warned travellers that the legislation wasn’t enough.

"Despite new legislation in 2006, the water sports industry in The Bahamas is poorly regulated. Every year people are killed or seriously injured by the improper use of jet skis or other watercraft or by the careless or reckless operation of such equipment by others," the FCO said on its website.

"In view of a number of accidents, we advise you not to rent jet-skis or other water sports equipment unless you are an experienced user."

Still, Mr. Symonette was confident that the Bahamian water sports industry remains safe.

"Whilst I am concerned about any adverse publicity, we also have to look at the fact of the number of people on our waters every single day, and compare that with the relatively few accidents that have happened, and I think maybe that will tell the story," he said. "We’ve been very fortunate and the waters here are fairly safe."

The FCO said that if British tourists choose to rent any type of water sports equipment, they should first consider the dangers involved and satisfy themselves that adequate safety precautions are in place.

"Once satisfied about this, rent only from reputable operators and insist on sufficient training before use. Also ensure that the operator is licensed and has adequate insurance cover," the FCO said.

Had to happen sooner or later..

Just a reaction from the recent court case, I am sure the grandparents went back to the UK and demanded something from their government.

The FCO said that if British tourists choose to rent any type of water sports equipment, they should first consider the dangers involved and satisfy themselves that adequate safety precautions are in place.
"Once satisfied about this, rent only from reputable operators and insist on sufficient training before use. Also ensure that the operator is licensed and has adequate insurance cover," the FCO said.

That should be common sense.

And they are somewhat right, drunks and high clowns still renting out equipment all over the place. But its up the user of the equipment, them, to decide if they can handle said equipment also, regardless of laws.

As to the boat accident, no comment, except lawlessness is common here and the legal system is typically a circus.

May 27th, 2008
British Gov’t Warns About Bahamian Water Sports
By QUINCY PARKER
A top government official is issuing assurances in the face of a warning by an arm of the British government about the Bahamian water sports industry – that warning goes so far as to advise British nationals new to water sports not to rent water sports equipment.
A top government official is issuing assurances in the face of a warning by an arm of the British government about the Bahamian water sports industry – that warning goes so far as to advise British nationals new to water sports not to rent water sports equipment.
The Ministry of Tourism estimated that around 499,000 British nationals visited The Bahamas in 2006.
While the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said that most visits to The Bahamas are trouble-free, the body has warned British nationals travelling to The Bahamas about the water sports industry, which it says is "poorly regulated."
The FCO is the arm of the British government responsible for supporting British nationals overseas, whether they are travelling as tourists, or promoting British business interests.
Citing a number of accidents, including fatalities, the FCO advises travellers not to rent jet-skis unless you are an experienced jet-ski user.
Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, who has Cabinet responsibility for Foreign Affairs, noted that the government is always concerned about what he termed "adverse press anywhere in the world."
Mr. Symonette linked the warnings to the 2002 death of two-year-old Paul Gallagher, who was struck in the head by a runaway speedboat while he was asleep on a Paradise Island beach when his family was on vacation at the Atlantis Resort. The British toddler later died.
"I’m confident that the courts here did what they had to do – the Coroners Court and the Supreme Court – in terms of the investigation of this matter," the deputy prime minister said. "It appears that maybe the Gallaghers are not happy with the results, and they have raised this a level.
"Yes there needs to be more policing of our regulations in regards to water sports, but I think you’ll find there was an amendment to water sports legislation which requires jet-ski operators to have licences, insurance and so on and so forth."
However, the FCO warned travellers that the legislation wasn’t enough.
"Despite new legislation in 2006, the water sports industry in The Bahamas is poorly regulated. Every year people are killed or seriously injured by the improper use of jet skis or other watercraft or by the careless or reckless operation of such equipment by others," the FCO said on its website.
"In view of a number of accidents, we advise you not to rent jet-skis or other water sports equipment unless you are an experienced user."
Still, Mr. Symonette was confident that the Bahamian water sports industry remains safe.
"Whilst I am concerned about any adverse publicity, we also have to look at the fact of the number of people on our waters every single day, and compare that with the relatively few accidents that have happened, and I think maybe that will tell the story," he said. "We’ve been very fortunate and the waters here are fairly safe."
The FCO said that if British tourists choose to rent any type of water sports equipment, they should first consider the dangers involved and satisfy themselves that adequate safety precautions are in place.
"Once satisfied about this, rent only from reputable operators and insist on sufficient training before use. Also ensure that the operator is licensed and has adequate insurance cover," the FCO said.
I said this area needed to be address many years ago, I saw this warning thing coming. We have fail to police these people and as result we have a major problem on our hand. I told them that the problem out there was started by the governments in the pass and they want the hotel owners with their security staff to police these animals. I think that and have suggested in the meetings I had attended to have the government agencies police these beach areas like they do at the airport and port of entries. Seems like all the governments have failed in this area and I think it has to do with the idea that they cannot employed these guys who a number of them are of criminal background. I hear some of them calling talk shows all the time and I only laugh.
Tell the government get some train beach wardens back on our beaches like the road traffic wardens to deal with these subjects or God Help Us I Could See A Repeat of Major Incidents and get the reall bad apples away from our tourist.:hammer:

That should be common sense.

And they are somewhat right, drunks and high clowns still renting out equipment all over the place. But its up the user of the equipment, them, to decide if they can handle said equipment also, regardless of laws.

As to the boat accident, no comment, except lawlessness is common here and the legal system is typically a circus.

You think our people will ever get fed up with the lawlessness and the legal system, cause if they are i don't see it. Correct me if am wrong, but everyone look satisfied with how this country is run.

You think our people will ever get fed up with the lawlessness and the legal system, cause if they are i don't see it. Correct me if am wrong, but everyone look satisfied with how this country is run.

agreed, SpamStopper sees the same thing, too many people seem like like the lawlessness here. :(

You think our people will ever get fed up with the lawlessness and the legal system, cause if they are i don't see it. Correct me if am wrong, but everyone look satisfied with how this country is run.

Am not..