Over the last six months the Government of Anguilla seems to be in a mad rush to create some form of excitement on the island, obviously with the motive that it will recommend them for reelection in 2015. In other words, they seem extremely anxious to give the electorate a reason why they should be granted another five-year term. Unfortunately, after spending the last four and a half years blaming the “usual suspects” for their failures, they have now come to the “rude awakening” that this approach/strategy cannot get them elected. Their dilemma now is how to come up with a gimmick that will make the voters believe that they have a way forward for Anguilla. But alas! They seem to be running out of both time and ideas.
This haste is evident in projects like the development of a vendor’s market that is lacking in long-term vision; an attempt to waste resources on paving a section of The Valley Road without proper design and engineering; supporting the use of the Social Security Development Fund to finance an unsustainable pilot project for National Health Insurance; and the latest, to rush legislation and policy through to the House of Assembly without adequate public consultation — in order to lift a fifteen year old ban on personal watercraft (PWC) or Jet Skis, and to repeal the Jet Ski Prohibition Act (2000) that enables it.
The debate about the ban on Jet Skis is not a new one. However, it appears that influential persons within the Government apparently led by the Parliamentary Secretary, Haydn Hughes, seem to have compelling interests for having the ban lifted. I use the word “compelling” because it is difficult to accept/believe that, given the clear arguments pointing to the risks associated with jet skis, a reasonable thinking person would be extremely reluctant to expose our very delicate/fragile tourism product to such dangers. And I also take notice of the Government’s readiness to appeal this Act while, at the same time, suggesting that it is not possible to accommodate the idea of appealing the very unfair Interim Stabilization Levy.
The Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association; a number of stakeholders in the industry; and concerned citizens have been doing an excellent job of bringing attention, through various media, to the negative effects of lifting the ban on jet skis for a long time now. I personally want to add the voice of my column to this cause by summarizing some of the points that they have raised as well as some of my own here — for ease of reference.
In the event that there may be persons who do not know what a jet ski or personal watercraft (PWC) is, let me take a definition right out of the policy document now appearing in the Government of Anguilla’s website:
“According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a PWC is any inboard boat under 16 feet in length in which riders sit, stand, or kneel on the vessel rather than sit or stand inside it. PWCs are powered by a 2-stroke or 4-stroke gasoline engine, the same engine type used in cars. The PWC generates its power by drawing water in through the bottom of the boat by an internal propeller (impeller) and accelerates it through a nozzle at the back of the boat. The screw-shaped impeller creates thrust for propulsion and steering.”
One of the things that struck me in the draft jet ski policy is that it is being suggested that the government should establish four (4) Authorised Areas (AAs) in Anguilla where Jet Skis can be used. They have identified Crocus Bay; the Forest Bay; Long Bay and the south side of Road Bay. My horror at this suggestion is that all of these authorized areas are places that local Anguillians have used traditionally as village beaches for picnicking and other family and community gatherings. In fact, it includes my favorite beach, Crocus Bay. Crocus Bay is a place that The Valley Community has used as a playground; a village pool; a fishing haven; a cultural and heritage site; and as a sanctuary for centuries. This and the other proposed authorized areas are special places for indigenous Anguillians. Destroy the intimacy and tranquility of these places with the tense and loud environment generated by jet skis, and you have destroyed the very core of these traditional village pastimes.
Here are some tidbits from the various groups and citizens on this proposal:
• Citizens should not be deprived of their freedom of use of the beach especially beaches like Crocus Bay that are still being used traditionally by visitors, sea bathers, beachcombers, fishermen, fitness enthusiasts, children, families etc.
• Instead of increasing tourism numbers and diversifying the Anguilla’s marine tourism base, the introduction of Jet Skis will have the opposite effect which will be potentially damaging to Anguilla’s tourism product.
• Since the inception of tourism, Anguilla has built a reputation as a ‘paradise’ that is unspoilt, tranquil and serene: a place to visit, stay a while, relax, unwind, recuperate, celebrate life and occasions with family and friends, explore the sights and sounds, enjoy epicurean delights and savour the hospitality of the island’s people.
• Anguilla known as ‘the best kept secret’ draws visitors to its shores who return time and time again. And jet skis are not the only form of water sports to attract the more thrill seeking visitors.
• The Anguilla’s Sustainable Tourism Master Plan 2010-2020 sets Anguilla’s Tourism Vision as: ‘We are a premier Caribbean destination known for our world class beaches; pristine azure waters; top class resorts and restaurants; relaxed ambience; sense of place, peace and tranquility in a safe setting among a friendly and hospitable people that take pride in their identity, cultural heritage and environment’. The question is: Does the presence of Jet Skis in Anguilla’s waters fit this vision?
• The answer to that question is a resounding NO. The introduction of Jet Skis on Anguilla will be in total contradiction to Anguilla’s reputation for offering ‘the ultimate traditional holiday experience – peaceful relaxation, unhurried; an unquestioning acceptance by a warm and friendly people; a feeling of being safe and looked after in an environment of pampered luxury. A tranquil hideaway, with no mass tourism. A place where there are no pressures to do things; a place where time stands still’. Source: [Anguilla’s Sustainable Tourism Master Plan 2010-2020]
• It is normally touted in the argument for lifting Anguilla’s ban on Jet Skis that the yachting sector is clamouring for the reintroduction of Jet Skis based on business loss to yachting agents, and the Anguillian economy, annually to ‘Yachtees’ who come with Jet Skis aboard their craft and could not stay on Anguilla because of their inability to use their Jet Skis based the ban. In 2013 when the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) was considering the introduction of Jet Skis, Sally Erdle, editor of Caribbean Compass Publishing, a yachting magazine had this to say,”…noise pollution, danger to marine life, danger to users and other people, questions of EMERGENCY medical response capability, liability issues, crime and law enforcement issues, and developing countries as dumping grounds”.
• “The SVG Marine Tourism Policy has been developed in keeping with Government’s stated vision for the development of tourism: “To improve the quality of the tourism product and allow it to become more competitive, whilst at the same time minimizing the negative environmental and social impact”.“By all accounts, the introduction of jet skis presents not only a high risk of negative environmental impact and physical injury to persons, but in terms of tourism it also threatens the alienation of the high-priority yachting market segment”.
• The introduction of Jet Skis can contribute to an increase in “crime on the seas” as there will be no constant police/port authority presence on the water to deter deviant activities. Since we know that persons bent on exercising deviant behavior do not respect rules there is no point making rules that will not be enforced. Once the door is opened to allow jet skis — the door will be opened to increased crime on the seas. Such crime could lead to pleasure craft and ‘yachtees’ not coming to Anguilla’s shores.
• There should be an awareness that peace, tranquility and security will increase Anguilla’s tourist numbers. The financial resources spent on introducing Jet Skis will be better placed on the promotion and management of Anguilla’s tourism product and fighting the incidence of violent crime that is damaging our image. Given Anguilla’s record of enforcement, what mechanisms, legal, capital (infrastructural), are being contemplated to ensure that the enforcement of regulations and policy related to Jet Ski operations is in place.
• The statistics related to Jet Skis are grim. They account for a large proportion of all marine accidents. This is so because they do not act like other vehicles, even cars. If you see a potential collision ahead instinct tells you to kill the power, but when you do this on a jet ski you cannot steer it – and it takes so long to stop – and what started as a fun time turns to tragedy. I cannot think of anywhere on Anguilla where you can really safely use these and they will be able to be properly ‘policed’. Alcohol and other pleasures play a big part in a vacation and, unfortunately, alcohol and other narcotics cause judgment to be impaired.
• The impact of any Jet Ski incident or accident will be farreaching as it will trigger negative publicity locally, regionally and internationally. For example, look at the recent Jet Ski incident in Jamaica that left a foreign tourist dead – and the negative press that the country received as a result. Anguilla’s economy can ill afford such a backlash.
• One of the free pleasures that Anguilla’s people and their children have is access to the sea, to go snorkeling, diving, line fishing, boating, and to just enjoy the peace and tranquility. This right should not be confiscated by the introduction of jet skis that will significantly affect the psyche and emotional wellbeing of beachgoers to the point of no return!
These are but a few of the comments that have been circulated through the various media in objection to the Government’s draft proposal for lifting the ban on jet skis. And while there may exist an environment and place on planet earth where this sport can be safely and securely practiced — I daresay I shudder at the risks Anguilla would be taking if it were to allow it during this period when we are being challenged to fine tune our niche in the tourism market. Should we not wait for the recently proposed branding exercise to be completed before we even jump the gun? Or is this already anticipated as the direction in which our brand image will go? Or perhaps as one activist said to me, in an allusion to the threat of environmental degradation: Are we heading towards “tranquility wrapped in goo?”
