Jet ski owners seek audience with governor

Members of the Association of Commercial Marine Enterprises, a newly-formed group of jet ski operators, are seeking an audience with Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to air their concerns on the proposed re-allocation of jet ski permit applications.

The request came after Coastal Resources Management Office Director Felipe Atalig announced his decision to revoke all jet ski permits and raffle off the same permits to those who have submitted applications.

“We, the members of ACME feel that this backlog of applicants could have been better served had CRM explained to them that the permits are on a limited basis and their availability will be announced once there is a vacancy,” said Steve P. Sablan, president of the group.

Sablan blamed CRM for accepting applications on a regular basis but has not informed the applicants of the short supply of locations for permits.

He added that ACME observed new permits have been issued to persons who have only submitted their applications as recently as four months ago which caused a stir among other applicants who have been waiting for years for the available site.

Starting May 31, all jet ski permits will be terminated and each authorized jet ski will be included in a lottery style draw.

Atalig said the changes are made to give applicants on the waiting list an opportunity to engage in jet ski operation.

The director discovered that there are jet ski operators who have been issued license for 10 years and some are sub-leasing the license to others for a fee.

But, according to Sablan, their families and their employees’ families have all depended on the jet ski concessions for their livelihood.

“Our agents and tour operators are all depending on us to keep our operations and business relations intact. These agencies dread the fact of reviewing and evaluating new vendors and are deeply disappointed with what Mr. Atalig is proposing not to mention the inherent cancellations that will take place soon,” Sablan told the governor.

Meanwhile, Atalig said he expected the reaction from the jet ski operators, especially from Sablan whose permit was revoked by CRM for numerous violations.

“I’m ready to explain to the governor what is going on. This office has done what is provided by the CRM regulations,” he said.

Atalig also clarified that the previous CRM administrators created the backlog of waiting list and the recently issued permit also happened before he took office.