Neighborhood leaders, Mission Bay businesses praise lifeguard efforts but express support for undercover operations, higher fines
Community leaders are calling for more aggressive efforts to crack down on illegal rentals in Mission Bay of recreational water vehicles commonly known by the brand name Jet Ski, after a 12-year-old girl on a paddle board was run over and killed three weeks ago by a person driving one.
Lifeguards say they are open to new strategies, but plan for now to stick with their current efforts. In addition to citations and impounds, those include warning people about the dangers of using websites to rent from unlicensed operators.In contrast to rental companies licensed by the city, unlicensed operators aren’t required to explain safety protocols or how to avoid hazards in the bay. They also often lack the insurance required for licensed operators and don’t have rescue boats.
Part of the problem is that some local owners of the water vehicles, many of them unlicensed, have begun renting them through the AirBnB-style website getmyboat.com, said Jim McCoy, owner of Adventure Water Sports near De Anza Cove. Val Streif, a spokesperson for getmyboat.com, said the site requires all participants to have the licenses and insurance needed in their city or county. She said the company has around-the-clock customer service for any users confused about those requirements.
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