WILLEMSTAD – Boat and jet ski operators on Curaçao are being warned to stay out of designated swimming areas as authorities step up enforcement following reports of vessels entering zones intended to protect swimmers.
The Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN) says boats and personal watercraft are prohibited from operating inside swimming zones because of the potentially life-threatening danger they pose to people in the water.
Anyone violating the rules could face up to two months in prison or a fine of up to 500 guilders under Curaçao’s Vaartuigenverordening, or Vessel Ordinance.
To improve swimmer safety, the ministry has installed floating boundary lines at several beaches to clearly separate swimming areas from zones where vessels may operate.
Despite those measures, authorities continue to receive reports of jet skis and boats crossing the floating lines. In some cases, operators have reportedly even tied their vessels to the lines.
GMN warns that such behavior can create extremely dangerous situations for swimmers. Boats and jet skis may only cross the floating boundary in an emergency.
The ministry stressed that the same restrictions apply at beaches where floating lines have not yet been installed. The absence of a physical boundary does not mean boats and jet skis are permitted to approach the shoreline or enter areas being used by swimmers.
Authorities are now carrying out additional checks to ensure compliance with the rules and prevent accidents.
The ministry is urging boat and jet ski operators to respect swimming areas and keep a safe distance from people in the water.