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NEWS

Water jetpacks getting new state regulations

By Brian ShaneStaff Writer
  • Water jetpacks are skyrocketing in popularity nationwide
  • Ocean City has three businesses offering three different types of water-propulsion rides
  • The state Department of Natural Resources has imposed new regulation for rider safety

Maryland's Department of Natural Resources has enacted new rules and regulations on the water jetpack businesses that have popped up around Ocean City.

The devices use water jets to lift a rider as much as 30 feet above the water. Maryland Department of Natural Resources police says the thrill rides can pose as a danger to both riders and bystanders. So far, Florida, Texas, Arizona and Hawaii have passed laws regulating jetpack use, according to agency officials.

"We knew these things were coming," said Mike Grant, regulations coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources. "They're very popular, they're very cool. They look like an awful lot of fun. But we were unsure how they were going to affect the environment and other boaters. Everything we went through when Jet Skis came out, we had to look at that all over again."

Grant said the agency and its law enforcement arm, the Natural Resources Police, have been researching for about a year ways to regulate the devices by speaking with the three main jetpack operators in Ocean City, as well as Ocean City town officials and an association of boat owners.

The new rules took effect June 20 as an emergency regulations, lasting for 180 days. During this study period, state and local law enforcement will be keeping tabs on the watersports operations. The Department of Natural Resources may hold a public hearing in January 2015, and some of the rules could change after that.

Some of Maryland's new rules include stipulations that riders must pass a quick written test, devices can't be used in canals or areas where lots of people congregate, and riders aren't allowed to "fly" more than 10 feet above water.

They also limit riders to age 16 or older, prohibit use in shallow waters (6 foot minimum) and mandate riders be outfitted in bright orange flags for visibility. The devices also must steer clear of the permanent objects such as bridges, moorings, piers, and pilings.

Grant said the rules are in place to protect the environment, the riders, boats and the companies themselves.

"We don't want someone with no license to come in from another state, set up shop for a few days and head back. They want to protect their business as well, as we appreciate that. We only want licensed operators on these things," he said.

Impacted devices

There are several kinds of devices the rules will impact.

The Flyboard is like a snowboard, strapped to your feet. The Jet Lev is like a flying chair. The Jetovator resembles a sort of motorcycle frame in its shape. All of them propel the rider into the air with powerful jets of water, letting them float several feet over the surface. There is a business in Ocean City carrying each of the devices.

"I would agree with pretty much all the regulations they put in place. That's partially because I helped create them," said Alex VonBussenius, 26, a co-owner of Relentless Watersports, which runs a Jet Lev operation out of the bayside Ocean City restaurant De Lazy Lizard.

VonBussenius said he was the one who approached Department of Natural Resources with ideas to regulate the watersports devices, with a plan to separate himself from the competition by running a safer business. Primarily, he said he'd felt that only operators who are certified and insured should be allowed to have the equipment.

"My whole reasoning was for safety," he said. "With the Flyboard coming in, I didn't want to be put in the same category as that, because they look similar — they're both water jet propulsion, to lift the user out of the water. The Flyboard, there's no back, no neck support. I didn't want to be thrown under that same bus, if something were to happen in Ocean City."

State officials in May met with Ocean City watersports operators, and the resulting 15 pages of regulations were soon simplified to about three pages. VonBussenius said he also took about a dozen state officials out for rides at Sandy Point State Park, outside Annapolis, and he credits that day for changing a lot of minds.

"I flew every single one of them successfully, and it was not a problem at all," he said.

Spotlight on safety

VonBussenius admitted the new rules have proven slightly more limiting than he would have liked. He's not allowed anymore to show off the Jet Lev in tight spaces along canals or the bayside — one of the most potent forms of advertising he's got. There still exists a possibility that the rules will allow for permits for such activity, he said.

"Regulations are in place to make sure people are safe, and any other company coming in, they have to abide by those rules. And Joe Schmo, he buys a jetpack, he can't just bring it out at the local bar," he said.

VonBussenius, of Manchester, Md., and his two partners also have Relentless Watersports operations in Miami and in Dewey Beach. Right now, he said Delaware and Florida have no specific rules about the jetpack devices. He believes Delaware is likely soon to follow the same rules as Maryland.

Others in the business are supportive. Justin Wood is the owner of Chesapeake Flyboarding, a Delaware-based operation that brings riders into Maryland waters. He spent the last year getting his new business ready for this summer. The business operates out of Fenwick Island, in the parking lot of Harpoon Hanna's restaurant — which happened to be the former home of Relentless until they relocated to De Lazy Lizard in south Ocean City.

Wood said he supports the new rules because they put a spotlight on safety.

"They kind of went about it as — we know there's this new watersport that's coming out, and we all want to touch base. How safe can this be? Let's get it together before everyone's running wild." said Wood, 26, of Westminster, Md.

"You can't just fly wherever you want," he added. "DNR is really about the safety of it. I don't think they're against it. It's just new, and they want to be able to get a handle on things before somebody would get hurt."

bshane@dmg.gannett.com

410-213-9442, ext. 17

On Twitter @bwshane