A bill before parliament is intended to regulate the water sports industry. It would prohibit operating watercraft in a reckless manner, and would also require operators to have proper insurance.
The top official of the Tourism Patrol Unit is “very pleased” with legislation concerning regulating water-sports activities; legislation that has fomented firm opposition from some who work in the industry.
The Commercial Recreational Watercraft Bill was introduced to Parliament by Transport Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin, who said it has been “long in coming.”
The bill seeks to regulate and control the activities of owners and operators of various craft and any person who makes use of the various craft, and creates a number of offenses, punishable for a stiff fine and jail time.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Christopher Rahming, who supervises the TPU, said “We intend to beef up our patrols to ensure that the new regulations are enforced, and we wish to send out a warning to people just to obey the law, and let us ensure the safety and security of our visitors and our citizens alike.”
Among the provisions of the bill are demands that all persons in the industry who own craft obtain liability insurance coverage with requirements to be prescribed under regulations and provision for “authorized officers” – either police, Defence Force, Port, or Family Island officers – who would be empowered to detain any craft suspected of being operated by an operator who is in violation of the act.
The legislation would prohibit the operation or driving of a craft within 200 feet of the shoreline in the designated area prescribed by the regulations except when the craft is approaching or exiting the area designated by the port controller.
Additionally, it would be illegal for anyone under 18 to operate a commercial watercraft.
Violations of the various offences could mean a fine of $5,000 or two years imprisonment or both.
ASP Rahming noted that the Tourism Patrol Unit has been busy since October 2005, having made 275 arrests along Bay Street and on Paradise Island.
“You wouldn’t believe it, but people carry arms on Bay Street – knives and short cutlasses – and on Paradise Island,” ASP Rahming said. “These things we will not tolerate.”
ASP Rahming said four people were arrested for making death threats, 16 people for stealing and 14 for possession of dangerous drugs. Fourteen people were also arrested for using obscene language, 28 for disorderly behaviour, nine for loitering and 32 for vagrancy.
“We also arrested 44 persons who (had) outstanding warrants (for their) arrest,” ASP Rahming said.
He also revealed that TPU and immigration officers together conducted raids “at various places in downtown New Providence where illegal immigrants were employed.”
“Thirty-two persons were arrested and taken to the detention centre for immigration processing,” he said.
He also noted the formation of a two-person team from the Ministry of Energy and Environment’s Tourism Product Unit to police Bay Street from Nassau Street to the Montague foreshore “to deal with matters for the health and safety of Bahamians and tourists alike.”
“They will be looking for environmental problems and investigating complaints as (they) relate to safety, and also they will do inspection and ensure that garbage and drains are properly cleaned,” he explained.
By: Quincy Parker, The Bahama Journal
