Essex gives final approval for personal watercraft business to lease space at Colchester Harbour

Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press

Town of Essex Council has approved a by-law that will allow Jet Wave – a business looking to rent out personal motorized watercrafts – to lease space at the Colchester Harbour.

The business will be able to lease space on the north-side of D Dock, as a result, in addition to space for a 10’by10’ tent on land.

A regular docking fee would be around $1700, where the business would pay around $3000, including the space for the tent.

Though Council approved the by-law, there were still several concerns about the opportunity discussed at the April 20 meeting.

Despite passing, Mayor Sherry Bondy and Councillor Jason Matyi voted in opposition, citing the need to just have more time to look at the agreement. Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley declared a Conflict of Interest, as he owns a business down at the Harbour.

Matyi wanted to pass only the second reading to provide additional time to discuss the matter. He had concerns about swimmers as it relates to safety.

Bondy wanted more time for feedback.

This matter was first introduced to Council at the April 7 meeting, where Council provided one of the three readings necessary to pass the by-law. Providing one reading at that time provided two-weeks for Council to get information from the public and boaters about the opportunity.

Jake Morassut, Director of Community Services, explained to Council previously that the benefit of having Jet Wave at D Dock is that it is close to the entry area, so personal watercraft renters do not have to go all the way down the dock and pass others.

Jet Wave owners Hasan Elbasiouni and Haider Al-Twaini have told Council:

• Those renting the personal watercraft units will be required to have a G2 licence, be 18+, and must obtain a temporary boating license.

• They plan to have four personal watercraft units, with one always at the dock for emergencies.

• They will be marked with their business name, will be equipped with two-way communication, have a kill switch they can control, and have a tracking device, so its location is always known.

• Hours of operation would be 10:00am and having everything back before 8:00pm, six-days a week, from May to September.

• There will be mandatory liability waivers to be signed, and they will have comprehensive and liability insurance coverage.

• All customers must make a reservation through their website and complete all requirements.

• Their staff will always be on-site, they said. Morassut previously added that the contract will allow the Town to end the agreement if there are any violations. In addition, the agreement specifies the beach is not to be used by the personal watercraft users. The Town is looking to reinstall buoys to identify the beach area. There is a setback of 200m required.

On Saturday, Mayor Bondy joined Councillors Brad Allard, Matyi, and Rodney Hammond at an open house held at the Camoes Portuguese Club of Harrow. This event allowed the local municipal decision-makers the opportunity to hear from boaters and residents alike about the possibility of allowing the watercraft rental business to lease space at the Colchester Harbour.

This meeting was not an official meeting of Council.

Jet Wave owners were also on hand to hear concerns and answer any questions.

Feedback from the around 40 individuals in attendance ranged from how there have been issues in the past with people trying to wiggle personal watercrafts between boat slips, how the seaweed could impact the function of the units, privacy of regular boaters, location of the recommended slip, how the entrance to the Harbour is too small and how that could be a safety issue.

Other concerns regarded having rookie drivers out on the lake, safety of swimmers in the beach area and from neighbouring homes, and the protection of the shoreline and the wildlife.

One called it a potential positive draw to the area for not only bringing in tourists, but also providing an opportunity for locals who do not have a personal watercraft and may want to get out on the lake.

The proponents responded that a renter would be required to get a temporary boater’s license. To obtain it, they need to be 18 and over, pass a test with a score of 75%, and have a G2 license.

Though they can’t prevent a circumstance from occurring 100%, they have tried to minimize anything negative from happening by ensuring the personal watercrafts are equipped with two-way communication devices, a kill switch, and a tracking device, and they will require the temporary boater’s license to be obtained.

After the meeting, those in attendance were provided an option to vote “yes” or “no” to the opportunity. Of 26 respondents, 16 voted “yes,” eight “no,” and two “maybe.”

On Monday evening, the proponents added that they will guard down the watercrafts for lower speeds, after hearing speed concerns from residents and boaters.

Benefits, they added, included supporting local tourism, job creation, and drawing people to the area, who may then support local businesses and restaurants.

Morassut noted the Town will inform Jet Wave of fishing derbies and such, so that they are aware of the higher traffic. Any issues will be reported to management staff and documented, so corrective actions can be put in place.

Councillor Kim Verbeek believes Jet Wave addressed safety issues and listened to concerns. She was in support of allowing this to move forward.

Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais also supported the lease and said the proponents put a lot of research and thought into their proposal.

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