Bitter situation
RESIDENTS of Mammee Bay in St Ann who have made a living operating jet skis for the last three decades say they are already feeling the effects of the seizure of more than 20 units in the community two weeks ago.
The seizure of the jet skis was reportedly done as a result of the six-month ban on jet skis, imposed recently by the tourism minister.
When the Jamaica Observer North East visited the community late last week, several residents sat discussing the impact the recent operation has had on the community.
According to the residents, the jet ski business kept many youngsters occupied and out of trouble and was the main source of livelihood for the community.
One man who identified himself only as Smiley and who has been in the business for approximately 10 years said the confiscation of his jet ski has not only been a setback for him, but his entire family.
“A three pickney mi have a go a school; one a do GSAT (Grade Six Achievement Test) next year,” he lamented.
“A the only work the youth dem have. We no have no other source; from we leave high school a this we a do,” another resident argued.
“The situation bitter,” Prince Matthews, another affected jet ski owner opined.
Matthews explained that many of the affected persons had borrowed loans to buy the jet skis and were now stuck with these outstanding amounts with no idea how they will find the money to make payments.
“A two months ago mi buy mine and my friend still paying fi hers and it gone. Yu can imagine,” Matthews lamented.
“Why dem take the ones from the yard mi no know because dem non-operational,” he added.
One bar operator said businesses in the community were already seeing early effects of the downturn in the jet ski business as there was no longer any money to spend.
“When you take a business from a poor man, what you expect him to do?” Matthews questioned.
This was also the question on the lips of many others in the community who say they now have nothing to do with the jet skis gone.
The residents rubbished claims that criminal activities had led law enforcers to seize the jet skis.
“If dem doing an operation, they do it, why dem want to paint a black picture of us,” Smiley said.
The residents said there have been claims of visitors being raped by jet ski operators; however, none of them have ever been hauled before the courts on any such allegations.
“A tourist never get rob in Mammee Bay,” one resident argued.
The residents also vehemently denied that drugs were found in some jet skis.
The residents are of the view that if there is one organisation which manages the operation of jet skis then things would be better for the various operators.
“We need an organisation where we can run (operate) under so we nuh have to a run from police,” Smiley said.
The residents said they now face great losses if the jet skis are not returned as one can cost up to US$15, 000.
Meanwhile, the operators are being asked to present relevant documents to the Department of Customs showing how they obtained the jet skis. These include documents to show that the items arrived legally in the country, however, most of the operators said the vessels were bought from “the big man” and repaired and placed into operation.
One popular businessman’s name was mentioned as the source of the jet skis for many residents, who say they have contacted him since the seizures and were told that he has no copy of the requested documents.
“Him say each jet ski have a number and if custom check it and run it through dem system they will know they come here legally,” one resident explained.
Some of the owners of the water crafts are also said to be overseas at present and so the operators are unable to produce the relevant documents.
However, while they anxiously await the return of the jet skis one man pleaded with the authorities to release them soon.
According to the resident, if the vessels are not properly kept they could become dysfunctional and may not be useful after sometime.
Last month tourism minister Wykeham McNeill announced new short-term measures to regulate Personal Water Craft (PWC) and jet ski operations across the island.
The new measures came in the wake of growing concerns about the number of accidents in Jamaica’s marine recreational areas, some of which have resulted in fatalities and serious injury.
The new regulations, which include a six-month suspension on the importation of all jet skis (Personal Water Crafts) for commercial purposes, a clampdown on illegal commercial operators of jet skis, and the strengthening and enforcement of regulations guiding the safe usage of jet skis, according to McNeill, are intended to ensure that Jamaica’s waterways can be enjoyed by everyone without threat to their safety.
But the residents argued that the recent accidents in the parish occurred on a private beach, where jet skis are still being allowed to operate.
The accident level involving jet skis, according to some residents, is very low.
“Check the level of accident, car kill people 99 per cent more,” Matthews stated.
With the drastic measure coming against them, the jet ski operators lamented that the same measures were not being taken against motor vehicle drivers who cause fatal accidents on the roads.
The residents said they are not interested in further blocking of the roads to get back the vessels, but only want the authorities to act in the best interest of the people.
“We no need no violence. The major thing is to get back we things,” Smiley said.
The Area Two police have since clarified that the seizure of the jet skis was not an initiative by them or the St Ann police, but an operation by the Jamaica Customs Department along with the marine police.