Marine sports forum draws a crowd

At least 106 marine tour operators, boat drivers, tour agents, and federal and local government representatives took part in the Marine Sports Forum which tackled industry issues from in-water refueling to pricing, customer solicitation, boating safety regulations, liability insurance coverage and permitting.

Dr. John B. Joyner, director of the Coastal Resources Management, which organized the forum, said holding an industry forum like this provides for sharing of information among marine tour operators and local and federal agencies.

“Marine sports are vital to tourism, which is critical to the economy of the CNMI,” said Joyner, adding that it is important that the marine tours industry regulate itself.

Rep. Joseph C. Reyes, chairman of the House Committee on Commerce and Tourism, encouraged marine operators to “work together” to address common issues so that the industry can further thrive in these tough economic times.

He said among the key issues is the proliferation of “shobais” or those who illegally solicit customers for marine tours or provide customers for these tours and charging exorbitant fees compared to licensed operators and agents.

In his presentation, Reyes also talked about House Bill 16-132 or the Tour Operator and Tour Guide Regulatory Act of 2008 which he introduced. The bill authorizes the Marianas Visitors Authority to regulate tour operators and tour guides.

Bill Owens, owner of B Sea Sunsports, said he wants the Department of Commerce and the Northern Marianas Insurance Association to get involved in identifying the insurance companies that offer the specific types of insurance required among marine operators by Commerce.

“Commerce is requiring local provider insurance; however, there is specialized insurance coverage in my industry that these local brokers or providers do not offer…I like to see Commerce get involved in designating and scrutinizing which insurance we can use …And I like to see the entire group of marine operators on the same level playing field,” said Owens, whose company has been operating on Saipan for 16 years.

Commerce’s Sixto Igisomar and NMIA president Eli Buenaventura were among the resource speakers at the forum.

Marvin Seman, an environment specialist at the Division of Environmental Quality, talked about environmental crimes at the forum, including oil spills, illegal dumping, unpermitted land clearing and illegal burning of hazardous materials.

In an interview, Seman said the number of violations has gone up but most violators admit to their wrongdoing, clean up the mess created and pay the fine. Only the most severe environment cases get prosecuted, he said.

During the afternoon session, forum participants discussed at least 16 industry issues including boating safety regulations, liability insurance coverage, jetski waiting list, beach driving and parking, pricing, and solicitation.

One of the key issues at the forum was the new federal regulations requiring boat drivers to have a Transportation Worker Identification Credentials card.