Tobago Correspondent
Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says the jet ski accident that claimed the life of seven-year-old Angelica Jogie in Pigeon Point was no isolated incident and the stiffer penalties being proposed for negligent operators will help to alleviate some of the reckless behaviour that now prevails.
At a special sitting at the Assembly Legislature in Scarborough yesterday, Augustine said the new Tobago Marine Park Bill, which was passed unanimously yesterday, ironically on the same day Angelica would have turned eight years old. Angelica was struck and killed on April 8 after a jet ski operator entered a bathing-only zone on the popular beach.
Augustine yesterday said the new bill builds on its predecessor but with stricter regulations and stiffer penalties.
The fine for unauthorised entry to the marine park has been raised from $2,500 and/or 12 months’ imprisonment to $10,000 and 12 months’ imprisonment.
Anyone caught hunting, killing or taking fauna, or damaging flora will now face a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment. The previous bill punished offenders with a $20,000 fine and/or two years’ imprisonment.
All other offences in the bill carry a fine of $20,000, but if offenders have been convicted of an offence in the preceding five years, they will also face two years’ jail.
The role of inspectors has also been maintained in the bill to help enforce the regulations. Inspectors will have the authority to stop and search, powers of arrest and be able to seize equipment.
“That is a big difference between a sign on the beach and law on the water. Right now, we have signs on the beach, we have policy.
“You know what the jet ski operators saying among themselves: ‘The most they could do is talk to we, them can’t do we nothing.’ This bill says we can do you something and we will do something.”
Arnold Jogie, Angelica’s father, yesterday told Guardian Media he was pleased to see action being taken to improve safety.
To improve the professionalism in the industry, meanwhile, Augustine said all operators in the space must be trained, registered and uniformed. He said the THA will foot the bill for the first set of uniforms.
He said operators, particularly at Store Bay, also need to improve their image and stop intimidating the public.
“There must be order in the space, it cannot be a free for all.”
Augustine said the THA has also installed booms at Pigeon Point to replace the rope designating the bathing-only area.
“Since the oil spill, we bought some extra booms and had it in storage in the event of another oil spill; they are down at Pigeon Point. The use of the booms will allow for the demarcation to be more visible and make it more difficult for jet skis and other crafts to penetrate,” Augustine said.
Listing six instances of marine accidents dating back to 2007, the majority of them fatal, Augustine yesterday said “danger has been allowed to coexist with recreation” for far too long.
Reading from memos sent by the Pigeon Point Heritage Park manager to its chairman, Augustine said jet skis are still operating illegally at the park and putting bathers at risk.
He said park officials complained on April 17 and 19 about sightings of unauthorised jet skis in the restricted area.
Augustine said if the police continue to fail to enforce regulations, the THA may have to take legal action.
“It would appear as though the TTPS refuses to engage those who are trespassing—refuses to engage. It is at this juncture, I want to say if anyone wants to sue the THA over any incident there, my instruction to our lawyers would be to go to court and ask to sue the Attorney General and central government.”
He said because Tobago does not have autonomy, it is limited to setting the policies, installing signs and informing the public about the regulations.
“You cannot tell me we are culpable and we must pay when things go awry.”
He criticised former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley and the People’s National Movement for not bringing the 2020 bill to Parliament, adding he has been assured by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar that action will be taken in two to three weeks.
