BVI News

Policy being developed for jet ski use, distribution

A policy is being developed for the operation and distribution of jet skies in the British Virgin Islands.

Junior Minister for Trade, Marlon Penn said the policy is to ensure that jet skis are used in a manner he described as ‘more comprehensive and more controlled’.

“We don’t want just everyone coming in, buying jet skies, operating them in a haphazard way, and there is no control over the operation of jet skies within the territory.”

“You also have to look at the safety of the tourists as well,” Penn said. “You just don’t want to put things in place and there is no safety mechanism or there are no safety procedures to safeguard against things like jet skies and so forth.”

The junior minister said an individual has joined his team to take on the task of drafting the policy.

Long Bay Beach an alternative tourist attraction

He made the statement while discussing initiatives that will make the Long Bay Beach on Beef Island more of an attraction.

Penn said the ultimate goal is to create an environment whereby Long Bay Beach will be an alternative location for tourists.

“A task force has been established to assist with that process of bringing persons to the beach. I’ve had discussions with the tour operators, specifically Disney and all the others who are coming to let them know that Long Bay is an alternative,” he said.

We’ve had discussions in terms of possible designs to create an ambience for the Long Bay area,” added Penn, who is also the representative of the Eighth Electoral District where Long Bay is located.

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47 Comments

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  1. Oh ho says:

    So again what about these nuisance motor bikes

    Like 20
    Dislike 1
    • Hi says:

      Uhm, motor bikes are not the problem. Delinquent, degenerate chikdren with the i born here mentality are. I dont see motor bikes riding by themself.

      Like 20
  2. Wow says:

    What
    No jet ski Please
    Its one of the raison why tourist come here
    No,no,no
    Don,t kill the BVI

    Like 36
    Dislike 9
  3. forward thinker says:

    Mandate that they must be electric

    Like 9
    Dislike 3
  4. a tourist says:

    Well that’s about the last straw, I have no idea what you guys are on, I am a tourist that drops no less than $20k each time I visit mainly because there is no mechanised water sport, the BVIs is screwed up enough as it is without taking it down to the lowest possible level, does anyone over there have half a brain cell!!!!!

    Like 53
    Dislike 8
  5. .... says:

    Hurry up and allow Jet skis in the territory….

    Like 7
    Dislike 36
  6. ndp heckler says:

    Watch out! Some family member of his bringing in jet skis soon

    Like 27
  7. Rubber Duck says:

    Which idiot wants jet skis? With the noise nuisance motor bikes and now jet skis WHY.? What at do they add to the experience of locals or tourists. ? Unbelievable stupidity.

    Like 32
    Dislike 4
  8. Retired says:

    If jet skis are allowed to enter BVI waters then I recommend for safety reasons that jet skis be confined to a specific area e.g., Cane Garden Bay, Long Bay Beef Island, etc. Prohibit all inter-island trips and prohibit jet skis in all busy commercial bays, sounds and harbours such as North Sound & St. Thomas Bay in VG, all the bays and harbours on the south coasts of Tortola and Jost van Dyke and all the out islands including Anegada.

    Like 8
    Dislike 4
  9. Sorry... says:

    We cannot control those scooters and now we want to introduce jet skis. We need leaders who are not afraid to tell people like it is. Carry on….

    Like 22
    Dislike 2
  10. Albion says:

    Two thoughts:

    (1) Is this *really* a priority right now, given what a total shambles the country is in? Can they not prioritise fixing education, roads, admin complex, etc. first?

    (2) Long Bay Beef Island will be a new tourist hot spot? So they planning to bus all those tourists through East End / Long Loook? Last time we will ever see those tourists.

    Like 25
    Dislike 2
    • R2D says:

      You would think these politicion had some sense. Look at this place and this is whats on their minds. Marlon I hope you read these comments. Please go back an priorities things that will push this country forward.

      Like 10
      Dislike 1
  11. Sam the man says:

    Is the NDP retarded? this isn’t Benidorm… The BVI is promoted as “natures little secrets” if the minister for trade thinks this in any way is a good idea he needs to be sacked immediately…If the “No Direction Party” continues with their disjointed, inept and vision less approach we are all F…cked!

    Like 24
    Dislike 2
  12. Hopefull says:

    WHATEVER PARTY ALLOWS jETSKI’S WILL NOT GET MY VOTE.
    YOU CAN’T CONTROL THE SCOOTERS JUST WITH NO HELMETS LET ALONE ALL THE REST OF THE LAWS THEY BREAK, HOW DO YOU EVEN THINK YOU CAN CONTROL THE JETSKI USERS!THE BVI IS RESPECTED AND LOVED FOR ITS NO JETSKI LAW, LEAVE IT BE AND WORK THAT ANGLE…ENFORCE THE LAWS YOU HAVE, DONT ADD NEW.

    WE NEED LEADERSHIP, I WILL VOTE FOR LEADERSHIP.

    Like 18
    Dislike 3
  13. Well? says:

    So much for listening to what our target visitors are after……tis did who is going to be deputy of this country? Sad state of affairs

    Like 14
  14. SMDH! says:

    Legalize Jet Skis = Increased Drug Trafficking

    Like 18
    Dislike 3
  15. Guest says:

    People have been asking to do that for years. I can gurantee it’s some political crony or family of his so it will be fine now. That seems to be how things work in this country. Progress is pushed only when it is beneficial to some…..

    Like 12
    Dislike 2
  16. Techno Dan says:

    Help me to understand how is it the or any Ministers fault about the scooter situation? This responsibility falls under the police, but more on the parents who allow their kids to own these vehicles and don’t do their due diligence and inquire about where it came from and is it legal to be on the roads. All I’m trying to say is that most of the problems we face we can address them at home first before we take to the streets to blame Government. Funny thing is, when those same young people are before the Judge, those same parents bombard the Ministers for letters of good words and praises huh….

    • Vick says:

      The country is the Ministers’ responsibility, that’s the point. The reality is we cannot control the foolishness with the scooters, why would we want to add jet skis? We have a few that were grandfathered in and we should just leave it as is, do not add any more. It’s not that big of a need to now have people bringing jet skis in left, right and center.

      Like 6
      Dislike 1
      • Techno Dan says:

        Ok, yes the responsibility of the country is the Ministers, but it Is also “OUR RESPONSIBILITY” as a community to do our part and not just point fingers, this is the essence of my point. I guess I should assume based from your comment that scooter owners are also home owners…. To your point about bringing them in left right and center, I must have missed that part in the article….. Stupid me read and understood something totally different…. But lets be honest, lets get gully, lets get ignorant…. Is there anything really stopping persons who really wanna have a jet ski from getting one? This is just another area where we want progress and some sort of additional financial revenue generator but don’t want to explore the options. ITs said that they are working on Policies but people would still say what they want regardless…. Its pointless here in the BVI sometimes…. Crab in a Bucket Mentality

    • Rubber Duck says:

      The police did not allow their import.

  17. BVI! says:

    There are only 2 good laws in the territory: no francises and no jet ski’s. This is giving the islands a bit of charm, appreciated by many. Why starting to breakdown the last good things we have?

    Like 13
    Dislike 1
    • Hopefull says:

      ACTUALLY THEY HAVE BROKEN THE FIRST RULE, LOOK AT ALL THE FRANCHISES AT THE PIER PARK EVEN AFTER COLIN FROM NCL BEGGED THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO FILL THE PLACE WITH CRAP LIKE ——— AND THE REST OF THEM..
      GUESTS GET CONFUSED WHEN THEY GET OFF THE SHIP EVERY MORNING AND GET SLAMMED BY THE SAME SHOPS!!!
      RETARDED…..

  18. Observer says:

    They can’t get consumer protection pushed through but all kind of stuff will be fast tracked to probably hook up some crony before election just in case they don’t get back in power.

  19. Laughing says:

    Marlon learning the game. “Policy being developed…” is a nice way of saying “Boss go sit down!”. If you think Marlon or NDP has jet skis on the top of their agenda then I have 2 nice planes with ‘BVI Airways’ on them selling. Not sure where they are but I selling them cheap cheap. Nothing to see here.

  20. Update Needed says:

    What’s up with the dolphin prison?

    • Tourist says:

      It’s coming! The Cruise Lines will NOT continue to come here just to go to cane garden bay, look at the old prison and drive up Hope Hill. They want activities to partake in when they get off the boats.

      Like 3
      Dislike 3
  21. No nonsense says:

    Thats one of the jet ski that was secretly auctioned to be used on a prominent beach for rental instead of saving tourist from drowning. Another bad thing of the No Direction Party. Where is the Queen?

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  22. You memory bad??? says:

    About 20-25 Years ago we had a lot of jet skies around and a lot of accidents. If you crash with the scooter at least someone can scratch you up from the street. A number of ppl died colliding and fallen with the jet ski in the water. IF they were found, they couldn’t talk about it anymore. We were fighting to get the law through then. All Cruise ships agreed, especially after one of their guests was hit by a jet ski while swimming and didn’t make it. Hon. Penn that was not one of your brightest moments when you cooked up that st…d idea.

  23. See says:

    More short sighted nonsense . The local police cant even police the scooter punks. Too afraid. Imagine scooter watercraft ! Is there ANY intelligence left on these islands ? How about building a school or a road ?

  24. D Man says:

    Another law to be ignored because of lack of enforcement. These things are a menace.

  25. Foolish says:

    Calm down people the man was answering a question!

  26. Jane says:

    So many other tourists products which could be developed: how about building mountain biking trails at Sage Mountain, Mount Health, VG Peak? How about opening up some trails through the guts up the hills for hiking? How about developing a turtle sanctuary? How about building some bird-watching hides? We have all the resources here, we dont need jetskis.

  27. Windy says:

    Regulated just like the scooters. Disastrous

  28. Wow says:

    Nothing is wrong with jet skies. They are not illegal, however only 2 persons right now have legal authority fo operate. One CGB one VG. The minister is trying to expand the authority to ensure one of his 8th district constituents get a piece of the pie in this. Election time is right. Gov and DG advise Orlando to dissolve and take command. These guys are on a lasting hustle to secure their money and stay in the game to gain more S their time is short. This is the first time I agree with Claude Skelton. Dissolve and call election. Give us some hope and not grief.

    • Rubber Duck says:

      The jet skis in Leverick Bay are a disaster that tourists loathe.
      Somebody’s brother making money is obviously more important.

      • Gumption.official says:

        The jet ski in Leverick bay is run and managed by 2/3 humble and ambitious entrepreneurs. Being responsible is their first and main rules. Outside of of the harbor have tons of safe places to ride jet ski.. Matter a fact North Sound is the safest place them. Josh and his team have rules and it’s enforced. If you never been or talk with them see who they operate then do your homework.

  29. Nick says:

    Agreed no jet skis . Noisey and dangerous Have fun in a proper Rib.

  30. Jvd says:

    I think we should get a vote from locals and vote from tourist at all ports of entry why can’t it be done in a democratic way?omg everyone is just for their own egos ????????????

  31. island girl says:

    I was just in the Bahamas were they have jet skis and I must say it was a little unnerving. I like to snorkel and swim but with the jet skis sipping about i was constantly worried about getting hit. So no snorkeling and i had to stay in a tinny roped off area.

    VISAR will now really have there hands full having to rescue people especially when the swell is up

  32. me says:

    But hardware is easier to regulate than sociopathy.

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