A video of a jet ski accident on a beach in the Bahamas has gone viral with the U.K.’s Daily Express newspaper saying that it is the most viewed story in the world on its website.

The video shows the moment a young tourist sitting on a jet-ski narrowly escaping injury as another jet ski crashes into and flies over her jet-ski. 

Fortunately the young girl was scared but uninjured.  Unfortunately, accidents like this causing serious injury are not uncommon. We have been contacted by cruise tourists injured in jet-ski mishaps.

Operating jet-skis in the Bahamas is particularly dangerous. There are absolutely no safety standards in that country governing the operation of such watercraft. The operators are often not affiliated with the major waterfront hotels and resorts and have poor maintenance of the machines. Safety training and instruction is spotty. Holding negligent owners and operators responsible is often difficult.

To make matters worse, most owners and operators have no insurance.

The Bahamas 2014 Crime and Safety Report states the following about the Bahamas:

"Rental of personal watercraft (jet skis) is very popular at many resorts and beaches. Visitors should use extreme caution and not operate such watercraft unless they are experienced in using them. Use of life jackets is highly recommended. The Embassy has seen numerous injuries as a result of not following proper safety instructions by the jet-ski operators."

In prior years, the U.S. Department of State has provided the following warning:

"The water sports and scooter rental industries in The Bahamas are not carefully regulated. Every year people are killed or injured due to improper, careless, or reckless operation of scooters, jet-skis, and personal watercraft or scuba/snorkeling equipment. Visitors should rent equipment only from reputable operators, and should insist on sufficient training before using the equipment. There have been reports that some operators do not actually provide insurance coverage even when the renter opted (and paid) for insurance coverage. Visitors should insist on seeing proof that operators have sufficient medical and liability insurance."

We have written many articles about jet-ski mishaps in the Bahamas: 

Atlantis Jet-Ski Accident in Nassau: Was A Carnival Cruise Passenger Killed?

Carnival Passenger Killed on Jet Ski in the Bahamas,

Cruise Passenger Disappears on Jet Ski In Nassau, Bahamas.

The Freeport News recently reported on the death of a prominent doctor in the Bahamas, Dr. Havard Cooper, Jr, who died in a jet-ski accident. 

 

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Photo / Video Credit: express.co.uk / LIVELEAK/BRIAN PRAHL / MediaEntertainmentTV