Jet Ski Operators: “The Alert is Not Only Inaccurate, It Threatens Our Livelihoods”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The United States Embassy in New Providence is once again warning U.S. residents visiting The Bahamas to be careful when engaging with local water sports operators, after the embassy issues a security alert on Monday.”

US Ambassador Herschel Walker is calling on the Bahamian government to activate its Jet Ski Task Force, saying “a body that does not meet, cannot protect lives.

However, Pedro Bannister, who has been a water sports operator for years, tells us rules are not only already in place, but are strictly enforced.

Pedro Bannister – Owner, Pedro’s Water Sports

“They have a big police boat that penetrate in this area every day, you have the defence force officers that are standing right on the beach.”

“As you can see they have the port department that is in charge of the rotation system.”

The Ministry of Transport, released a statement on Tuesday, saying the Bahamian government stands ready to collaborate with the U.S. over the matter, noting that safety remains a top priority.

However, in that newest alert, the U.S. Embassy pointed to what they describe as decades of inadequate enforcement, something they say fueled a pattern of preventable tragedies.

The embassy says since August 2024, 6 Americans have been hospitalized with injuries, and since 2025, 4 U.S. citizen women reported sexual assaults by jet ski operators.

Pedro Bannister – Owner, Pedro’s Water Sports

“For the past 3/4 years, there hasn’t been any type of incident that I have heard of that. I don’t know if you have heard of anything, but our business [are] running functionally…”

This is not the first time such alerts have been given, as our Delvardo Emmanuel have been on Goodman’s Bay beach several times before covering the same story.

Meanwhile, they do admit there are a few unlicensed and unregistered “bad apples” that give the industry a bad rep, but they say those operators are nowhere near where the majority of tourists visit.

Pedro Bannister – Owner, Pedro’s Water Sports

“…We don’t want nothing get out of hand, and contrary because these people livelihood, you have mortgages and bills and taking care of family and children going to school grandchildren and all these things.”

Rerick Rolle Jr. – Owner, Action Water Sports 242

“I want to invite Mr. Walker to come out to the beach and at least see what’s going on…”