Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
The Bahamas, April 17, 2025 – The Bahamas government is moving to tighten regulation of jet ski operators amid mounting safety concerns, including multiple reports of sexual assault and serious injuries involving U.S. tourists.
This week, the U.S. Embassy in Nassau issued a stark advisory warning American citizens to avoid jet ski rentals, citing several incidents of rape and sexual assault committed by local operators. The advisory stated that two U.S. women reported being raped in the past month alone, with three rapes reported so far in 2024. Victims said they were lured from popular tourist beaches such as Junkanoo Beach, Saunders Beach, and Cabbage Beach, and assaulted on isolated cays near New Providence.
In addition, four Americans have been hospitalized due to jet ski-related injuries since August 2024, with two requiring emergency evacuations to the U.S.
In response, the Bahamian government has begun meeting with key tourism stakeholders, including the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), to discuss the introduction of a formal code of conduct for jet ski operators. BHTA president Robert Sands confirmed that the group is working with the Ministry of Transport, the Port Department, police, and tourism officials to find a solution that balances visitor safety with operators’ livelihoods.
“We’ve been pressing for improved regulation in the water sports industry for a long time,” Sands said. “Safety is the single biggest issue. Tourists want these services, but they must be offered in a way that is safe, professional, and maintains the country’s reputation.”
The proposed crackdown includes discussions on designated operating zones, liability insurance requirements, operator identification, and clear disciplinary protocols.
Watersports operators in The Bahamas have long faced criticism over poor regulation. The U.S. State Department’s advisory warns that jet ski operators may lack proper safety certification and often ignore weather conditions, increasing the risk of accidents.
Sands emphasized that talks are still ongoing, with no final decisions made. “We’re looking for common ground — a safe, coordinated system that ensures tourists and operators benefit.”
The jet ski code of conduct would mirror a similar initiative being rolled out for taxi drivers, which aims to improve service standards and eliminate misconduct through enforceable rules.
“This is very important for the industry,” said Wesley Ferguson, president of the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union. “It must be more than a signed piece of paper — it has to be enforced.”
