Jet ski ban upheld

The petition is important because instead of increasing tourism to the area it will have the opposite effect and damage an already fragile economic situation. A copy of my letter to the Tourism Office follow. Today I received a copy of an open letter from the Ministry of Tourism wherein it states
'As a means of diversifying the marine tourism product, the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture is presently considering the introduction of jet skis as a watersport activity and also to facilitate in the patrol of the waters throughout the destination. '

My initial instinct was that we cannot have these in Bequia at all. I spent a lot of time in Bequia aboard my yacht and during in the tourist season the harbour (encompassing both Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay) and the water is far too crowded to allow jet skis. There is a 5mph spped limit in the harbour but this is not complied with by dinghies and certainly not by water taxi's so there would be nobody to police jet ski use on Bequia.

Since I first came to Bequia in 2001 the islands reputation was 'a paradise' a tranquil relaxed place to visit, stay a while, spend some money and it was a magnet drawing visitors to return time after time. Sadly, over the following 12 years that has suffered. Crime on the water increased and is now far too high, there is no police/port authority presence on the water to deter crooks and the VHF boat nets are alive with sad stories of boardings and thievings throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines with some advising their listeners to avoid our harbours altogether. In that respect a better authority presence would improve morale.

Once you open the door to allow jet skis you will open the door to increased crime. Just look at the number of dinghies and outboards stolen per year to use to burgle visiting boats. Sometimes the dinghies mysteriously re-appear for a finders reward but that's about all. Don't forget its not the authorities who have the money to spend on these it will be the drug dealers who make a lot of money trading in, from and around these waters that can afford them. And criminals do not respect rules so it is pointless making rules. It is peace and security that will increase your tourism you must see that. Spend money on festivals, regattas, celebrations - not jet skis.

I wondered if I had a jaundiced view so spent time researching jet skis. The statistics are grim. Although there are not that many of them they account for approximately one third of all marine accidents. This seems to be because they do not act like other vehicles, even cars, if you see a potential collision ahead instinct tells you to kill the power but when you do this on a jet ski you cannot steer it and it takes so long to stop and what started as a fun pastime turns to tragedy. I cannot think of anywhere in the Grenadines where you can really safely use these and they will not be able to be 'policed' over such a vast area. Furthermore rum punch on the beach and sundowners plays a big part on a Caribbean holiday and unfortunately alcohol causes judgement to be impaired, you can't afford to take any of these chances. Yacht people won't hire jet skis and tourists would be just as happy with a pedallo.

My first instinct is right. In these days of diminishing economy one of the few free pleasures your people and their children have is to run and throw yourself into the sea, go snorkelling, coconut boating and fishing, keep them safe. Please.