'PIRATES'

• Author: Gareth Davis Sr
• Published date: 30 April 2022
• Publication title: Gleaner, The (Kingston, Jamaica)

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WHITE RIVER, St Mary:

A former Cabinet minister is calling on the Government to end what seems to be a free-for-all in the river rafting industry, saying that any mishap resulting from unregulated operations could spell disaster for the island's tourism product.

Robert 'Bobby' Marsh, who owns White River Calypso Rafting and Tubing, says the Government and various regulatory agencies have been slow to act against illegal operators on the White River, despite his many pleas and what he deemed clear and present danger, putting both visitors and the sector at risk and in the hands of "pirates".

"It's bad and getting worse by the day. [It's] a total disgrace and could seriously mash up tourism," said Marsh, whose operation is nestled between the parishes of St Ann and St Mary.

"There is nothing by way of enforcing the laws and I am afraid something bad is going to happen that will not be appreciated or find favour with cruise and hotel owners. You can't have unregulated and uninsured persons taking guests on rafts and with no regard for possible consequences," he told The Gleaner.

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Marsh, a former member of parliament for St Ann North Eastern during the 1980s, said he has written to the St Mary Municipal Corporation, the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), and the River Rafting Association, outlining the situation, but all parties have turned a blind eye.

Jet ski death

"Are we waiting on an accident to happen like the jet skis?" an obviously angry Marsh asked, referencing a tragic accident in which a tourist swimming at a resort in Negril was fatally hit by a speeding jet ski in 2014.

The incident resulted in a ban on jet ski operations in the island.

"Heaven forbids if somebody dies or something bad happens. That's a clear-cut...