The following is an article from today's Bonaire E-News. Based on the amazing discussion going on over in another conversation about time shares, I figured readers of this discussion group might have some comments and insights to share here. However, I'd like to ask that all posters of messages not post anonymously.

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Jet Skis - Taking Action

In our previous issue of the Bonaire E-News, we had an article provided by the Bonaire Marine Park about the hazards of Jet Skis. That article outlined the various laws that jet skis have to follow in order to remain in the water.

Sadly, last week during Regatta, all of these laws were blatantly ignored by jet skiers, and authorities generally had their hands full of other Regatta issues and therefore were not able to do much about the jet ski problem. Jet skis were racing in the shallows, near swimmers, small boats, divers, and various markers and buoys where they had no business being, especially at the speeds they were traveling. We personally saw numerous near misses of jet skis and swimmers near Regatta House, and saw a small sailboat almost flipped over by the wake of a jet ski that passed by only a couple meters away. Only the quick reaction of the sailor averted his (and his young son's) plunge into the water. And, cocky jet skiers almost collided with boats at many instances during the parade of working boats during Regatta, as they leapt the waves caused by the wake of these larger vessels, occasionally losing control shortly thereafter.

In recent conversations with visitors, local water enthusiasts, dive operators, and a multitude of others, there's nearly universal aversion to having jet skis in the water around Bonaire. Not surprisingly, the only people in favor of jet skis appear to be those who own jet skis. And there aren't many of those (we estimate that well less than a dozen jet skis permanently reside on Bonaire).

Jet skis are dangerous because the operators of the jet skis are usually young, carefree (and more importantly careless) individuals who thrive for speed and action - features that have made jet skis popular. Weaving in and out of boats (and other obstacles, like dive flags, divers, swimmers, etc.) is apparently part of the "charm" of using a jet ski. Using a jet ski in the deeper, blue waters is boring, hence that rule will tend to be ignored because it's contrary to why someone has a jet ski in the first place.

Aruba's jet skiers are involved in accidents daily, creating quite a business for ambulances and hospitals. A close friend of ours was comatose in a hospital in the U.S. for a month, suffering brain damage, and losing an eye, as the result of a jet ski accident.

And, Bonaire is a place known for its tranquility and safety.

So, in short, Bonaire and jet skis are incompatible.

While we at the Bonaire E-News are not in favor of an ever marching parade of new laws to control this or that, we think it's time for Bonaire to take a firm stance against jet skis before we have a serious accident. Our waters need to be safe for snorkelers, divers, swimmers, fishermen, and boaters, and as long as jet skis are allowed in our waters, the waters are not safe for all the other more numerous users.

There are two ways to solve this problem. The first (and best way) is to ban jet skis outright - this would solve the problem quite neatly, because it would mean that any jet ski found in the water or on land could be confiscated and the owner fined, but it would also need to deal with the issue of compensating existing jet ski owners for their prior jet skis purchases. This could be dealt with by providing advance notice of the new law, and providing free shipping of registered Bonairean jet skis to a place like Aruba for sale by the owners.

The second way to solve this problem would be to place such extreme restrictions on Bonairean jet ski usage that no one would qualify to use them. These include taking a multi-day jet ski usage course, requiring all operators to be at least 18 (or 21) years old and that they be licensed specifically for jet skis, and instituting mandatory confiscation of jet skis which violate Marine Park rules (including the licensing and registration rules). While this still would allow existing jet ski owners to use their jet skis under very specific and non-endangering (and non-fun) conditions, it would likely result in jet skiers just not bothering to try and jet ski on Bonaire. The difficulty with this approach is that it is much more complicated to implement, and is a bureaucratic nightmare.

In any event, neither of these items will happen unless we can all convince the Bonairean government that jet skis don't belong in or around Bonaire. And, to do that, we need hard proof of jet ski violations and flaunting of existing regulations (see our previous issue for details) sent to the proper authorities, which include the Bonaire Marine Park, the Harbour Master's office, etc.

We therefore ask all our readers who agree with the concept of banning jet ski usage on Bonaire to report jet ski violations, incidents, etc. to:

mailto:jetski@BonaireENews.com

E-mail to the above address will automatically be sent to the Marine Park, as well as printed out and delivered to the Harbour Master's office. Any supporting photos and/or video clips should also be e-mailed (if you have the technology), or otherwise sent to us at:

Bonaire E-News
Re: Jet Ski Incidents
Kaya Rotterdam 2
Bonaire, N.A.

And we'll duplicate and redistribute to the proper authorities. Commentary, both pro and con our proposed jet ski ban, will also be gladly accepted at either of the above addresses.

Appears as though we have a new "thread" to work with for a while. The note I am attaching to this posting was written a few moments ago after I read this week's Emal Newsletter in response to the subject of Jet Skis....Yes or No...Carole Baker:

"Just take a look at Eagle Beach, Palm Beach and even Druif Beach in Aruba to understand why Jet Skis should NOT be allowed to operate in the waters of Bonaire.

Safety is a major factor, but so is noise, air and water pollution (not to mention the destruction of natural marine life too).

Need I say more??"

Every effort should be made to assure the naturalness and beauty and marine life safety of the waters surrounding Bonaire. Thanks. Carole Baker

Yes, please, NO JET SKIS.

I've just put my thoughts on this in a post on the timeshare issue.

The issue of jet skis really is something those of us who have come to love what's different about Bonaire should get behind.

Jet Skis and Bonaire are incompatible.

Jet skis are destructive. It's a given. The E-News article is well written. I support the first option: ban them altogether. I know that sounds harsh, but the description of who is using them and how is enough to settle the matter for any rational person.

The mind boggles when one considers what it would be like to snorkel off Pink Beach or Windsock with jet skis buzzing around! Come these nuisances, and Bonaire will no longer be snorkel capital of the World! I hope good sense prevails, and jet skis are BANNED in Bonaire

There is a ruling that jet ski rentals are banned. I did recently find out that a local dealer brought some on the island for sale. I suggest we begin a fund to help pay to have them shipped to Aruba so they can be sold there...better yet..have them driven there by the politicians who passed the NAOB tax. One unrelated fact...Bonaire no longer has four digits for phone numbers. It is now 717-++++. How about that for progress.

Banning jetskis on Bonaire is a GREAT idea!
Up here in New York there have been many terrible accidents on jetskies in the waters surrounding Long sland.
I hope we never have to worry about this on Bonaire.
Only recently have I noticed them there, and was hoping that the jetskis would be banned.
The thought of what could happen, if they are not controlled is frieghtning!
We always think of Bonaire as a safe,laid back place to dive and are hoping it's stays that way.

Here's some news from my home that might be of interest to the movement to ban jet skis on Bonaire:

From the San Francisco Examiner, October 27, 1999

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/examiner/archive/1999/10/27/NEWS1326.dtl

County passes rigid personal watercraft law, citing need to protect environment

The Marin County Board of Supervisors, citing noise and threats to wildlife, passed California's strictest ordinance banning Jet Skis and other personal watercraft in the ocean off its coast and in bays, rivers and creeks.

In a 4-1 vote Tuesday, the supervisors vowed to keep the high-pitched whining personal watercraft out of Tomales Bay, Richardson Bay and Bolinas Lagoon, and away from Dillon Beach and other beauty spots.

"This is a victory for the wildlife and for the thousands of people who hike, swim, sail and surf," said Sheila Gallagher, who lobbied in favor of the ban for Blue Water Network, a project of the environmental group, Earth Island Institute in San Francisco.

"These crafts are tremendous polluters," Gallagher said. "They harm wildlife. They ruin the outdoor experience for virtually everyone on or near the water."

Spearheading the effort were Supervisors John Kress and Steve Kinsey. Also voting for it were Supervisors Annette Rose and Hal Brown.

Supervisor Cynthia Murray voted against it, saying she preferred controls instead of an outright ban. She also objected to singling out personal watercraft over other boats.

The new ordinance, which takes effect in 30 days, bans the watercraft from Paradise Cove and marshes at Richardson Bay, Corte Madera, McNear's Beach, China Camp and the Petaluma River, home to brown pelican, salt harvest mouse, California clapper rail, snowy plover, peregrine falcon and the California least tern.

It reaches about a quarter-mile into the Pacific Ocean and includes all bays, estuaries and rivers within the county's jurisdiction, encompassing 7 miles inland from the mouths of rivers and creeks.

The area includes the ocean shoreline from the Marin-Sonoma county line to the Golden Gate Bridge as well as the Bay shoreline from the bridge to the Marin-Sonoma line at the Petaluma River.

The Bel Marin Keys subdivision is exempt, but Jet Skis must travel under 5 mph. Federal-, state- and county-owned watercraft also are exempt.

The fine is $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $500 for the third within a year.

Already, the watercraft are banned in the Golden Gate National Recreational Area and the Point Reyes National Seashore.

Dozens of U.S. and state parks, towns and 45 states have some form of controls on the vessels. San Francisco banned the watercraft within 1,200 feet of its shoreline last year.

Manufacturers of Jet Skis, Sea Doos and Waverunners have argued that the bans are unfair and limit people's right to recreation. A representative of the trade association, International Jet Sports Boating Association, said the restrictions were heavier than on "tankers carrying nuclear waste."

Yet, resource managers and water companies, including East Bay Municipal Utility District and Santa Clara Water District, have excluded them from their reservoirs, saying they dump 25 to 30 percent of their fuel, a mixture of unburned gas and oil.

The state Air Resources Board has found that a seven-hour ride on a 100-horsepower personal watercraft emits the same amount of air pollution as driving more than 100,000 miles in a 1998 passenger car.

Thank you Corey! All of the areas referred to in Examiner's article are beautiful and thank goodness, they are now protected from these monster jet skis.

Bonaire has taken steps and continues to take additional steps to restrict and ban these polluters from their waters, as well. It is encouraging to see legislation such as this being put into place.

Thank you for the article....it is very encouraging!

PS Point Reyes National Seashore area is one of my favorite places to just relax and enjoy the beauty and solitude. I am relieved it will remain that way!

Jet skies are illegal in the British Virgin Islands. In NH, USA they are banned except for the larger lakes. I was almost hit on my windsurfer in Seabook harbor by a jet ski. He was ridding looking over his shoulder and never even saw me. I hope you are successful in keeping them out of the waters of Bonaire.

Has there been any progress on this? I am in favor of a ban on jet skis. When I was looking for an "exotic" snorkeling destination for my family vacation, one place I looked at was Ambergris Caye, Belize. That is until I saw it was not recommended to snorkel from shore for safety reasons (jet ski traffic), even though the reef is right there. That instantly turned me off. The last thing I want to do on vacation is worry about one of my kids, my wife or me getting whacked by a jet ski. Not to mention the negative impact on the environment they have. Unfortunately for Belize, I will not be spending my tourist $$$ there.

We submitted nearly 100 pages of letters, fact sheets, and articles on this topic to the government about a month ago. Since then, I understand that CURO (Dive Operators) and BONHATA (private sector tourism association) have also sent letters in support of the ban, or will shortly. The papers have been passed to the Bonaire Marine Park and the Bonaire Environmental Department for comment. So, now it's just a matter of waiting...

Jake

During the two weeks we were there just recently, we saw not one jet ski. I remember that last year they were a real nuisance near Town Pier and Karel's. Perhaps the campaign is working.

Thanks to all for their efforts.

Joann