US travelers warned to avoid Bahamas jet ski…
Americans are being urged to steer clear of jet ski leases in the Bahamas as U.S. officers warn of sketchy operators linked to deaths, accidents and reported inappropriate assaults.
In a Monday assertion, the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas said that “rogue operators” are soliciting vacationers on Nassau’s most fashionable seashores, including Cabbage Beach, Junkanoo Beach and Saunders Beach.
The rogue operators are often “unlicensed, uninsured, and operating unsafe watercraft,” the embassy said — and officers famous that law enforcement oversight is “sporadic at best.”
“The Embassy advises all U.S. citizens to avoid renting jet skis in The Bahamas, beware of solicitors near the Cruise Port and popular beaches, and always follow local weather and marine alerts,” the assertion said.
In a PSA video, U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas Herschel Walker started by stating that he had “an important message for Americans visiting or living in the Bahamas.”
“I need to warn you about some serious dangers associated with renting jet skis and small watercraft and swimming at beaches where jet skis and small watercraft are being operated in shallow waters, particularly around Nassau and Paradise Island,” Walker started.
“We’ve lost American lives to preventable accidents. Multiple visitors have been hospitalized.”
Walker also added that American residents have been inappropriately assaulted by jet ski operators who allegedly took victims to remoted islands.
The rogue operators are often “unlicensed, uninsured, and operating unsafe watercraft,” the embassy said. jovannig – stock.adobe.com
“Many watercraft are unsafe and operators are unlicensed and uninsured,” said Walker in his assertion.
“That’s why U.S. government employees are banned from renting or riding jet skis.”
The ambassador added that the U.S. is working with the Bahamian authorities “to address these issues.”
“But, for now, consider all the risks before you get on a jet ski in the Bahamas,” he said.
“Your safety matters. If you need help, contact the embassy immediately.”
The ambassador added that the U.S. is working with the Bahamian authorities “to address these issues.” bydronevideos – stock.adobe.com
Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas for remark.
The warning comes after the September 2025 death of Alaska Air National Guard 2nd Lt. Robert Rosa, who was killed in a jet ski-related accident during a trip in Nassau.
In April of last yr, the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas said that at least two U.S. ladies reported rapes involving jet ski operators. The embassy said three rapes involving jet ski operators had been reported in 2024.
Officials also famous that since August 2024, six U.S. residents have been hospitalized with accidents from jet ski accidents.
Three of the six injured Americans “required emergency medical evacuation to the United States,” the embassy said.
Audrey Conklin contributed reporting.
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