INVESTIGATES: 59 Jacksonville fair rides pass inspections, three were not ready

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Of the 62 rides inspected, 59 passed inspections, zero failed and three were deemed "not ready" to operate.

Three rides initially "not ready," are now down to two.

The three rides initially deemed "not ready" were the "Ferris wheel," "YO YO" and "Experience," all operated by Prime-Time Amusements.

Inspectors returned to deem the Ferris wheel safe. At last word from fair management, inspectors need to inspect the "Experience" and "YO YO" before the rides can operate.

Action News Jax investigator Ryan Nelson spoke to CEO and president of the Jacksonville Fair, Bill Olson, about the findings.

On the day of the inspections, Olson tells us state inspectors were unable to complete the ferris wheel's evaluation by their 5 p.m. deadline. He says inspectors returned and the Ferris Wheel later passed inspection.

"The Ferris wheel, it just wasn't ready in time," said Olson. "So, the new rule, it has to be done by 5 o'clock. And it was just after five and the inspector couldn't inspect it. So, he had to come back the next morning and check it out, and it was good to go."

Action News Jax also asked the Florida Department of Agriculture, which conducts the inspections, what a "not ready" designation means for your family.

Spokesperson Max Flugrath responded in a statement.

"'Rides not ready' are rides that are not ready to be inspected prior to the fair opening and inspectors completing all inspections," said Flugrath. "The cause could be numerous things, for example, the ride did not arrive at lot until later in the day, the company is waiting on parts for the ride to arrive, the ride is down for maintenance and the company does not want it inspected yet, and more."

Operators fix issues pointed out by inspectors to pass inspections

Before some rides passed Department of Agriculture inspections, inspectors required certain "deficiencies" on eight rides to be resolved.

These deficiencies were resolved, and the rides passed inspections. Flugrath tells us the deficiencies must be addressed before a ride can pass inspection.

"If a deficiency is found the company has the opportunity to correct the deficiency and our inspector then inspects to ensure the deficiency has been corrected before passing the ride," said Flugrath. "If the deficiency cannot be corrected and it is on a specific seat or carrier, an out of service tag (OST) is issued to that particular seat/carrier on the ride in question."

Nelson asked Olson if the rides that initially had "deficiencies" are safe for your family.

"Absolutely these rides are safe," said Olson. "There were minor deficiencies on some of them, like gates out of place or a latch needs to be adjusted, things like that, but nothing major."

Cox Media Group