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British Government Warns British Nationals About Bahamian Water Sports
Related to country: United Kingdom

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British Gov’t Warns About Bahamian Water Sports:
By QUINCY PARKER -
Nassau, Bahamas:



A top government official is issuing assurances in the face of a warning by an arm of the British government about the Bahamian water sports industry – that warning goes so far as to advise British nationals new to water sports not to rent water sports equipment.

A top government official is issuing assurances in the face of a warning by an arm of the British government about the Bahamian water sports industry – that warning goes so far as to advise British nationals new to water sports not to rent water sports equipment.

The Ministry of Tourism estimated that around 499,000 British nationals visited The Bahamas in 2006.

While the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said that most visits to The Bahamas are trouble-free, the body has warned British nationals travelling to The Bahamas about the water sports industry, which it says is "poorly regulated."

The FCO is the arm of the British government responsible for supporting British nationals overseas, whether they are travelling as tourists, or promoting British business interests.

Citing a number of accidents, including fatalities, the FCO advises travellers not to rent jet-skis unless you are an experienced jet-ski user.

Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, who has Cabinet responsibility for Foreign Affairs, noted that the government is always concerned about what he termed "adverse press anywhere in the world."

Mr. Symonette linked the warnings to the 2002 death of two-year-old Paul Gallagher, who was struck in the head by a runaway speedboat while he was asleep on a Paradise Island beach when his family was on vacation at the Atlantis Resort. The British toddler later died.

"I’m confident that the courts here did what they had to do – the Coroners Court and the Supreme Court – in terms of the investigation of this matter," the deputy prime minister said. "It appears that maybe the Gallaghers are not happy with the results, and they have raised this a level.

"Yes there needs to be more policing of our regulations in regards to water sports, but I think you’ll find there was an amendment to water sports legislation which requires jet-ski operators to have licences, insurance and so on and so forth."

However, the FCO warned travellers that the legislation wasn’t enough.

"Despite new legislation in 2006, the water sports industry in The Bahamas is poorly regulated. Every year people are killed or seriously injured by the improper use of jet skis or other watercraft or by the careless or reckless operation of such equipment by others," the FCO said on its website.

"In view of a number of accidents, we advise you not to rent jet-skis or other water sports equipment unless you are an experienced user."

Still, Mr. Symonette was confident that the Bahamian water sports industry remains safe.

"Whilst I am concerned about any adverse publicity, we also have to look at the fact of the number of people on our waters every single day, and compare that with the relatively few accidents that have happened, and I think maybe that will tell the story," he said. "We’ve been very fortunate and the waters here are fairly safe."

The FCO said that if British tourists choose to rent any type of water sports equipment, they should first consider the dangers involved and satisfy themselves that adequate safety precautions are in place.

"Once satisfied about this, rent only from reputable operators and insist on sufficient training before use. Also ensure that the operator is licensed and has adequate insurance cover," the FCO said.

May 27, 2008

May 27, 2008 | 11:06 PM Comments  0 comments

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