I was told these have all been stopped because of some new regulations. Is this true? If it is how are we supposed to get to the Pelican Bar much less to Sister Lous?

heard the same thing. does anyone have info.

As of late last week the government started to enforce the existing law prohibiting boats who do not have a river rafting and/or water sports lisence from entering the Black River.

Several of the boat tour operators are working in conjunction with The Tourism Product Development Co. and Jamaica Tourist Board in moving forward as quickly as possible to obtain these lisences as both TPDCo. and the JTB are fully aware of this unique tour and how much it adds to guests' experiences while visiting the South Coast. We will keep you posted as progress is made.

Again, these are not new regulations but long existing ones which are now being more strictly enforced. These lisences are obtained by the operators being life guard approved, having certain safety features on their boats, training in other areas, medical qualifications, appropriate insurance and overall making sure the boat operators are providing a quality service to their guests.

The boat tour operators are still giving tours to Pelican Bar, the fish sanctuary/Galleon beach, Little Ochie, Sunny Island, and so much more. So there are still plenty of ways to enjoy a boat tour when you come and we are confident that with everyone working together tours up the Black River will resume as soon as possible.

I would like to give a special shout out to Dennis Abrahams, BREDS, Kamiesha Jones, and Jermaine Jones who have really been leading the efforts in working with TPDCo., JTB, the Maritime Authority and other agencies to get the boat tour operators lisenced and back on the river as soon as possible.

If we wanted to help out a tour boat operator with the fees associated with the licenses and insurance, do you have a rough idea of the annual cost for these fees (in Canadian or US), Rebecca.

I believe you can still get to Pelican Bar. To go up the river, I am not sure if you have to get on a different boat or if they are charging some fee now for the boat to go through. I thought someone called it a safari fee. Too bad - it will end up taking away from the TB boat guys.

We've had several comments pertaining to the "unfairness" of all of this. I think the best analogy I can use to put things in perspective is one that I know well; legal taxis vs. robot (non-licensed) taxis.

Non-licensed boat operators (robots) I'm sure will still be operating but they risk getting caught and fined and anyone who takes them risks being in a boat which may not be insured, have safety equipment on board, etc. The robot more than likely will charge the same rate as the licensed boat operators but will not be paying the overhead costs of running a licensed and insured business.

Just like everywhere else in the world more and more lawsuits are being filed so rules and regulations then need to be enforced to protect all.

Trust us, we understand your concerns, but we do recognize both sides of the coin and hope you will as well.

-TBNet

well put tbnet

fyi sista lous and the swing are both accessible by land....
i am just sayin.....

Who are the registered , licensed, approved boat operators now? A list please?

My third trip to TB - very disappointed that the small boats can no longer go up the Black River
[note: boats can still go on the river but they need the proper permit to do so -TBNet]
- our experience with our boat trip was fantastic and we were not interested in going by large tour boat. This is a truly unique Jamaican experience and there must be an economical way to resolve this - we come to TB to escape the mass tourism/all inclusive feel that is prevalent in other parts of Jamiaca- please keep the unique qualities of Treasure Beach alive/ don't get bogged down in red tape

Big ups then to Dennis Abrahams, BREDS, Kamiesha Jones and Jermaine Jones for their part in helping to get this worked out for everyone.

I am not a fan of the safari/pontoon boats and do not plan to take one but I completely understand the need for some level of safety licensing, presence of life vests, etc. on the small ones.

Hopefully all the boat guys of TB are back on the river ASAP.

For the first time in 13 years our group did not visit the crocs, Sista Lou's, and Rudy's. Cast my vote as being very disappointed with this turn of events. Shabba came over over and explained it but that did not ease the sting. The fishermen of Treasure Beach had found fishing for tourists safer and more profitable than fishing for fish. Fewer fishermen help the fish stocks replenish. Ted Parchment and all the tourist captains now have life preservers and have always been respectful to the river itself. I have zero desire to visit Galleon Beach or the Pelican Bar unless it's for a first timer. Likewise heading to Little Ochi by boat is too expensive and uncomfortable, not to mention the sea near Alligator Pond seems too rough for a dry landing. You could not pay me enough in Cayman dollars to go out 3 miles in the sea to fish in a boat with only one motor. So how are our Captains supposed to survive? In a country where polytricksians abound, our hard working backbone of Treasure Beach attractions seem to be getting the short end of the rope. It is very vexing from this tourists view.

Please remember everyone, the Black River Boat Tour has been temporarily suspended - not permanently. Once licenses are granted boat tours will resume. Be assured many are working aggressively towards obtaining these licenses as soon as possible.

Has the boat thing been sorted out.

They are very much in the process of sorting. I am getting an update every day from Dennis Abrahams and every day progress is being made.

I will most definitely keep you posted.

Question. Someone told me you have to be part of a company to get a boat tour license. Is this true? Is it a group like JUTA but for boats?

Sorry to hear about the hubbub with the boat tours- always a highlight of our trip "home". Unable to return to Treasure Beach this year, but I can share this video I shot of a trip up the Black River with Cap't. Ted and Flora. Next year for sure!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ksfnhi_YBw

Any more news on what is happening? I am also interested to know about the being part of a company that Tammi mentioned. What about that?

Progress continues to be made! The lifeguard certification was held last week. Once the certified lifeguards pass their exams in April they will qualify for a Water Sports license which is one more step closer to getting back on the river.

I am not sure if anyone has started to form a company. Maybe someone else reading this has that information and can share it with us.

APRIL? Why so long? This is not making sense to me. Are you saying guests there in the next month or more cannot go up the Black River from Treasure Beach or am I not understanding?

April is when the next exam is scheduled for. This is attended by persons island-wide and my understanding is that it is scheduled far in advance.

There are several steps to this process. Many boat operators are working very hard on working through the other steps like obtaining insurance, etc. They are most assuredly trying to get back on the river as soon as possible but they have to work within the restraints of the system.

I get it. I don't like it. I don't get to vote.

You wouldnt like if there was an accident and you lost an arm or a leg or even your life, etc etc etc ... and your insurance would pay out! While we dont like the situation and sometimes dont think of these thinks whilst on holiday, this is how it goes. It is the same if you are driving a vehicle.

The question has been posed as to why BREDS helped organize the lifeguard training, who could or did attend and if it favored people associated with Jakes Hotel. BREDS often organizes training programs. They organized the last lifeguard training held a few years ago. The lifeguard training was for many more than just boat captains and their seconds. The training was attended by caretakers of villas and guest houses located on the beach who wished to have a member of staff trained as a lifeguard, individuals who just wanted to be trained, fishermen, and more. This was not inclusive and as a matter of fact the training was postponed for a day due to having to accommodate the large number of persons who did show up as they did not want to exclude anyone. If you have any questions or concerns regarding BREDS role in the lifeguard training we recommend you contact BREDS directly at info@breds.organyone.

To have 23 trained lifeguards living in the community is very much a positive thing for the community and has already saved lives since the last training. Isn't that what is most important?

Good news and better news!!

Boats are being allowed up the river once again! I've just had a long conversation with Dennis Abrahams and he explained that boat captains who have their maritime license, public liability insurance, lifeguard and CPR certificates, and can show their receipts for payment for their application fees for their beach license and river rafting license (showing they have met all the criteria for each and are just awaiting the actual license) have been given a waiver to bring guests up the Black River.

The captains who have met the criteria and granted the waiver are Dennis Abrahams, Bebe Sutherland, John Gordon, David (Nellie) Henry, Joseph Brown, Sandre Myrie, and Ted Parchment. What must be noted is after TPDCo. held a meeting with many boat captians in Treasure Beach way back in 2005 explaining these rules and regulations which were going to be enforced in the future these captains came together as a group and started this process.

The second part of the great news is representatives from the Maritime Authority, Black River Consatbulary Force, Scotia Bank, and the Calabash Bay Fisherman's Cooperative met with several other boat captains at the TBWG House today to discuss how they can all work together to obtain licenses for the captains interested in doing so. Dennis said he just spoke with someone who attended the meeting and Aman Parchment, Allen Daily, Kevin Parchment, Kennute Elliott, Neil Clarke, and Terry Clarke have all shown interest and are pushing forward to obtain their licenses.

My personal impression was that everyone was very willing to share information and offer assistance to those wanting to obtain their licenses. Kudos to all who are working together to achieve their goals of getting back on the river!

Good new guys, I know it's means a lot to TB. Shabba mi school mate big up.

We sure enjoyed our trip up the river on April 24th with Dennis. Sister Lou's, a swim at Rudy's, Pelican Bar and lots of crocs