Watersports operators on the island of Grand Bahama are speaking out concerning a recent travel advisory issued by the United States warning its citizens about jet ski use and operators. The advisory highlighted frequent sexual assaults as one of the reason for its warning.

General Manager of Pirates Cove, David Wallace told ZNS News, “any guest who wishes to use the jet ski has to be able to operate it themself. First they must be of legal age where they have to have a drivers license in order to be an operator and if they pay for the use of the jet ski then they have to use it themself. Our guys know they cannot take no guests out.”

Pirates Cove implemented the measure after the property was implicated in a sexual assault allegation by two US citizens in 2024. Staff at the property have also been advised of a training course on how to deal with guests.

Wallace said, “tourism is out mainstay here, not only on this island of Grand Bahama but especially on New Providence and the other family islands and so whatever we could do to protect the industry we are all in support of it one hundred percent.”

Get Wet Watersports Manager, Kyle Charlton has seen a decline in business since the advisory was issued. He said, “we need to address certain things, the non licensed operators, no insurance people who on the water and soliciting to tourists. Since the advisory came out business has slowed down I would say but I don’t know if it’s the time of the year with current situations, GDP drop and stuff like that.”

According to Minister of National Security, the Hon. Wayne Munroe, a task force has recommended that body cameras be worn by tourists.

Wallace opined that the government would have to bear the cost of such an initiative and Charlton was skeptical that the proposed idea would work unless the government cracks down on non licensed operators.