Importation of jet skis suspended for six months

Dr. Wykeham McNeil, Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, has announced a suspension of the importation of jet skis for commercial purposes for the next six months. He told the House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon that the Ministry will be working with the marine authorities to clamp down on illegal commercial operators of jet skis.

The move by the Ministry of Tourism, which follows recent accidents involving jet skis, also includes the enforcement of regulations governing the safe use of jet skis.

Dr. McNeil said, the maritime authority will also introduce a special training and certification programmes for commercial jet ski operators.

In August, there were two jet ski accidents, one in Ocho Rios St Ann and the other in Negril Westmoreland. In the Ocho Rios incident, a child was killed and in both cases other persons were injured.