U.S. Embassy Alerts Tourists On Jet Ski Risks In Bahamas

(KMDL-FM) It seems as if every day we're telling you about another issue at the beach. And we've got another bit of important news to pass along to those of you who enjoy renting and riding personal watercraft, known to a lot of us as jet skis. Apparently, there are certain beaches where the renting and riding of personal watercraft are not very well scrutinized for safety and security.

Let's face it, we all visit "the beach" for different reasons. Some of us love to just lie on the sand and enjoy the warmth of the sun. Others enjoy the splashing and frolicing in bubbling surf. Still others require a little bit more of a mechanical advantage to have fun on the water.

I am sure you've all been to resorts where they have banana boat rides, parasailing, and the ability to rent a personal watercraft. For the most part, all of those activities are safe. The businesses that operate the rental stands are reputable, and they maintain the equipment so it is as safe as it can possibly be.

The United States Embassy Issues an Advisory on Jet Ski Rentals

However, there is an exception to that rule, and according to the United States Embassy in the Bahamas, that island nation is the "bad example" when it comes to unscrupulous business practices.

In a release from the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas, it was noted that decades of inadequate enforcement in the Bahamas have fueled a pattern of preventable tragedies. The advisory warns of unlicensed,k uninsured operators renting unsafe watercraft to unsuspecting tourists.

Does The Jet Ski Advisory Include Popular Cruise Ship Ports?

Among the beaches where the bad Bahamian behavior has been taking place are Junkanoo Beach, Saunders Beach, and Cabbage Beach, as well as near the Cruise Port and the small islands east of Paradise Island.

In the past two years, six American citizens have been hospitalized because of jet ski incidents. Three of the injured required emergency medical evacuation, and in 2025, a member of the Alaska Air National Guard was killed in a jet ski-related incident.

Herschel Walker, yeah, the football player, is the United States Ambassador to the Bahamas, and he is calling on the Bahamian government to activate its jet ski task force to enhance and restore accountability for the safety of visitors from all nations.

The United States Government has banned federal employees from renting or using jet skis in New Providence and Paradise Island. The feds are suggesting that you do the same until the Bahamas gets its sunbleached head out of its sunburned butt. Maybe Herschel Walker can help them with that. I seem to recall he has experience in that position.

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Source: Beach Visitors Warned – ‘Don’t Rent a Jet Ski Here’

Filed Under: beach, Bahamas