AHATA doesn’t rest on its laurels, having restored the island’s economic situation and recovered its brisk tourist trade faster than we thought. Yesterday the organization delivered a letter to MinPres addressing concerns around watersports. All GOA has to do it read, then implement, for a safer, better water-playground.
Apparently, AHATA was invited to join the meeting of March 29th at the offices of DIP, to discuss the unfortunate boating accident at Palm Beach that caused the tragic death of a young visitor.
As discussed at length in the meeting, lack of regulation and the absence of consistent enforcement results in a negligent, laid back culture that does not focus on discipline and safety.
In follow up to the conversation on March 29th, AHATA submitted recommendations for increased safety for all who enjoy the popular beach areas.
These submitted recommendations will probably join the previously submitted recommendations for the regulation of the ATV/UTV adventure tour segment of the market.
The following is a reminder:
AHATA’s suggested ATV/UTV recommendations
Here is what AHATA suggested regarding watersports
- The precario license of the watersports vendor location, on the beaches, should require, at the very least:
o For each captain/driver to have a valid boat license.
o That none of the employees violate the law at the beach or while in the boat(s).
o Regular and random drug tests of captains/drivers.
o CPR certificates for each captain and boat mate.
o Liability insurance, of minimum $1 Million.
o Any violation of these requirements should result in immediate revocation of the precario.
- Watersports vendor permit needs to include at least the following requirements:
o All captains/drivers to have a boat license.
o Propeller cover for outboard motors.
o Liability insurance, of minimum $1 Million.
o CPR certificates for each captain and boat mate (renewed annually).
o All staff abiding by all laws.
o Any violation of the requirements should result in immediate revocation of the permit.
- Introduce mandatory protocols for handling of the boat(s) and customers, such as: turning off the engine when close to clients and helping them board the boat. Note: The rules can be determined by a committee of responsible boating/watersports experts. These mandatory rules can be included in permit requirements.
- Update the boat license process to require a course on rules and safety protocols.
- Create a required schedule of patrol and enforcement by Beach Police and Maritime Police on the beach and at sea and ensure that they have adequate staff and equipment to do so.
- Coordinate/delineate patrol responsibilities between Coast Guard and Maritime Police.
- Introduce structural sharing of information on violations between Maritime Police, Beach Police, DIP, and DIrectie Scheepvaart (Shipping Inspector).
- Provide AHATA with a copy of the watersports vendor precarios, so the hotel security teams can help ensure discipline and report certain violations of rules (i.e. location of umbrellas, number of umbrellas, cleaning up of equipment, etc.) for the vendors located near them. Note that AHATA has requested DIP for copies of the precarios repeatedly, since January 12th, to no avail.
- Limit number of watersports permits to operate at the Palm Beach and Eagle Beach areas.
- Limit and control the number of boats that can park in the waters in front of the Palm Beach and Eagle Beach.
AHATA’s conclusion: We hope that the urgency of this matter will not be lost as time goes by, because much can be and should be done to ensure a better level of safety for the residents and visitors that enjoy our popular beaches. Most importantly, maintain consistent enforcement to safeguard a level of discipline.
