Ban on commercial jet ski activities still in effect, says TPDCo
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Tourism Product Development Company Limited (TPDCo) is reiterating that the ban on the use of personal watercrafts for commercial activities remains in full effect.
In a release on Friday, the TPDCo, and the Marine Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) said they are enforcing a zero-tolerance approach towards private operators engaging in commercial activities that contravene industry regulations.
According to Executive Director of TPDCo, Wade Mars, “the ban on the use of personal watercrafts for commercial activities became necessary in 2014 because of several accidents involving personal watercrafts which resulted in the death of two individuals including a child. We want to remind the public that safety is of utmost importance in the tourism industry and the use of these vessels is permitted only under special circumstances as per the Jet Ski order.”
As per the Private Watercrafts Operations Order, all operators of personal watercrafts must be registered with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) and have identification numbers in the form of decals and the yellow and black decals issued by the MAJ must be visibly displayed on all jet skis.
Security companies which operate jet skis for security patrol must have blue and black decals displayed on their vessel. Personal watercrafts such as jet skis registered with the Maritime Authority for private use cannot be utilised commercially.
The law allows for the seizure of all personal watercrafts that have not been registered/licensed with the MAJ. These vessels will be held until the owner has satisfied the requirements to be licensed.
Private jet skis cannot operate from certain areas, such as the Blue Lagoon in Portland, all private beaches, all public bathing beaches including but not limited to those in Negril, Montego Bay, Dead End Beach, White House, Lilliput, Hellshire Beach, Ocho Rios Bay Beach, Mahogany Beach, and Dunn’s River in St. Ann.
The TPDCo is urging all private watercraft operators and the general public to adhere to these guidelines to ensure the safety and integrity of Jamaica’s waters for both residents and visitors.
For further information and inquiries regarding jet ski operations and regulations, the public is being asked to contact the Resort Area Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force at email resortareasdiv@jcf.gov.jm or the offices of the TPDCo Visitor Safety Unit.
