Time to regulate the use of jet skis

THE EDITOR: The jet ski “accident” in Tobago which cost a minor his life is cause for concern. It reminded me of a similarly terrible “accident” some years ago in Tobago where two people were run over by a jet ski. They were badly cut by the propeller, almost to the point of no recovery.

At the time it was reported that they needed many surgeries to at least be able to perform the most basic of functions, but since then they would have disappeared from the media spotlight.

Needless to say, as with everything, there has been no effort to regulate the use of all forms of pleasure craft operating in the bathing waters near the shores in Tobago. These things are driven near to bathers and you never know when one can get away from its driver/rider and plough into someone. So, apparently, the public remains at risk.

On a recent visit to Tobago, I was offered a rental and, not being familiar with the jet ski, I was advised that someone take me out on one. While I was provided with a life jacket, I was unclear as to whether the person who was operating the craft was duly certified. More so, it appeared that I was renting the jet ski at my own peril, since these things are not insured for public safety issues. Indeed, I have seen these things go so fast it scares me to even watch.

Now I am a mature individual (over 50 years) and I would think twice about riding one of these things, so my immediate query was who would put that in the hands of a 12-year-old?

If I may, this appears to be just another failing of the Tobago House of Assembly, since there are many of these private operators renting jet skis to tourists and no one can say what safety measures are in place.

Indeed, I am thinking public liability insurance in case of an accident. Think about it: who in TT, which insurance company, which government ministry, provides any kind of insurance coverage — marine, public liability or so for the use of jet skis? Of course, when an accident happens then the whole world hears about it and Tobago gets another bad name.

As such, it’s one thing to investigate the death, but I think it’s about time that someone in Tobago looks at these things that seem to have been taken for granted. Is the public protected in any way in case of an “accident?” With the tragic loss of this young man, the jet ski just does not seem like the fun thing in the tourism ads.

LYSTRA MARAJH

Glencoe