Due to recent safety incidents involving a few irresponsible rental operators, the entire personal watercraft rental industry is now under heightened scrutiny. In response, the City has initiated aggressive enforcement actions — including trespassing responsible, safety-conscious businesses like ours from public spaces we’ve used respectfully for years. This approach unfairly punishes operators who follow the rules, carry proper insurance, and make public safety a top priority.

Once again, these actions do not improve safety — they make the situation worse. The bad actors will not stop; instead, they’ll operate in secret, evading oversight and further compromising public safety.

Rather than blanket bans, the City should implement a clear regulatory framework that licenses and supports responsible operators — those with commercial liability insurance, proven safety records, documented procedures, and willingness to undergo audits. That’s how we ensure safety on our waterways.