A devastating jet ski collision that claimed the life of 7-year-old Angelica Saydee Jogie during a family vacation in Tobago has pushed government and regional officials into active discussions on new oversight rules for personal watercraft across local waters.
On April 8, Jogie, a primary school student from Barrackpore, was bathing with her father and uncle in the designated swimming zone at Pigeon Point Heritage Park when an out-of-control jet ski struck the group. The child suffered multiple fatal injuries from the crash, while her family members were also hurt. A 32-year-old man from Canaan has been taken into custody in connection with the incident. Jogie’s remains were transported back to Trinidad by her grieving family on Wednesday, and her funeral service is scheduled to be held on the current day in Monkey Town, Barrackpore.
During a parliamentary session responding to a question from Diego Martin North/East Member of Parliament Colm Imbert — who asked what urgent steps the national government would take to prevent similar tragedies — Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar first offered official condolences on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago government to Jogie’s loved ones. The Prime Minister confirmed that intergovernmental talks between the national administration and the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) are already underway to craft new regulatory frameworks for jet skis and other small recreational watercraft. Persad-Bissessar also noted that a 2020 regulatory bill that would have addressed gaps in watercraft governance was never advanced by the opposition, which held up the legislation until last year without taking action. She added that further details on the current ongoing discussions will be released to the public at a later date.
Separate comments from THA Finance Secretary Petal-Ann Roberts confirmed that a targeted regulatory bill focused on the Buccoo Reef Marine Park — a high-traffic area for recreational water activity — is a top priority to be tabled for parliamentary review in the near term. Roberts, who spoke to local media outlet the Express following a three-day THA leadership retreat, said top regional officials have reviewed the draft legislation ahead of its submission to the central government. Describing Jogie’s death as heartbreaking, Roberts, a mother of an 8-year-old child, noted the tragedy was devastating for the entire nation. “It’s unimaginable to see you come for a vacation and something like this happens,” she said, adding that clear regulation of marine recreational activity is a critical public safety priority.
Following the incident, THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has already indicated the regional body will pursue a strict new oversight regime for jet skis and other pleasure craft operating in Tobago waters. For their part, Jogie’s mother Salisha Jogie and many members of the public have gone a step further, calling for a full, permanent ban on recreational jet skis in popular swimming and coastal areas to eliminate future risk to beachgoers.