parliamentary session which started yesterday the Shadow Minister of Transportation announced.

Dennis Lister said he plans to raise the issue of personal water craft use and safety in the House of Assembly this session.

His comments were the first uttered by the PLP on the topic since a water collision claimed the life of a 50-year-old man.

Al-Reulle Shamsid Deen died when the tiny fishing boat he was in was rammed by a jet ski off Devonshire Dock last month.

At the time of the crash, the PLP refused to comment on the issues arising out of the tragedy.

But this week Mr. Lister said his party had kept their silence on the matter out of respect for Mr. Deen's grieving family.

But he pointed out that the PLP had a duty to inform the public about important issues and he planned to do so.

He expressed concern regarding a recent interview with former Transport Minister Wayne Furbert.

"In a recent newspaper interview, he appeared to shoulder no responsibility for the matter when he stated that the Bermuda Water Safety Council is the entity that is responsible for water safety,'' Mr. Lister said. "The Minister stated: `I'm sure they have had some discussion and will do everything they can to warm the public and increase awareness of marine safety.'.

"The Minister completely ignored the fact that there has been a Cabinet Committee set up to examine the use of jet skis in Bermuda.'' He added that the Committee has yet to reach any conclusions despite urging from local personal water craft associations.

And he said that he waited in "vain'' during the last parliamentary session for word on how the Committee was proceeding with its work.

"It is unfair for the UBP Government to place sole responsibility on the Water Safety Council,'' Mr. Lister said. "It should be obvious to the public that jet skis, like land transportation vehicles, falls clearly in the ambit of the Transportation Minister.'' Mr. Lister added that three PLP Shadow Ministers, over the last year, had met with local personal water craft association members.

SKIING SKI