- NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Tourists raft down the Rio Grande in Portland on Wednesday as rafting returned to the river following the passage of Hurricane Dennis during which rafts were destroyed by flood waters.
Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer
RAFTSMEN IN Berrydale, Portland, have only just begun to recover from the devastating blow dealt to them by Hurricane Dennis three weeks ago.
More than 80 per cent of the bamboo rafts used to take tourists down the Rio Grande were destroyed by floods generated by the hurricane.
Rio Grande rafting is one of Portland's premier attractions and some operators are anxious to return to their only means of income. However, only a few enterprising souls at the Berrydale raft stand have ventured out.
"I am hoping that the Prime Minister will come good on his promise by providing us the much-needed assistance," said a raftsman named George.
George is one of the innovative few who have been able to acquire material to repair and rebuild rafts that will ride the waters of the Rio Grande again.
However, many of his peers are still struggling. Currently, only 23 rafts of the more than 120 are in operation.
When Across the Nation spoke with several of the affected raftsmen, they said that their livelihoods have been disrupted, perhaps for good, as they have no means by which to restart their trade.
NO LARGE GROUPS
Rosemarie Dean, a receptionist at the Berrydale Raft Stand, told Across the Nation that although rafting has resumed at Berrydale, the situation at Grant's Level - another raft stand nearby is not as good.
That stand remains in a state of disrepair, having been badly damaged when the Rio Grande broke its banks.
"We have approximately 23 rafting vessels available at this time," said Ms. Deans. "Only the raft stand at Berrydale is open and we are not equipped to deal with any large group of tourists who might be inclined to go rafting."
Ms. Deans said that large groups of tourists wanting to go rafting on the Rio Grande will have to make reservations for the time being.
She also said that staff members were helping with the clean-up operations at the raft stand and this has helped with the recovery process.
Prime Minister P.J Patterson, during a tour of the Rio Grande Valley following the hurricane, indicated then that measures would be put in place to provide assistance to the raftsmen.
Mr. Patterson also said that the Government had provided assistance to the raftsmen in the past and that this time around, things should be no different.
A ride aboard a raft costs US$52 for the eight-mile journey down the Rio Grande to Rafter's Rest in St. Margaret's Bay.
Meantime, the raft stand at Grant's Level will remain closed indefinitely as the restrooms there were destroyed and the area where the offices are located is covered with mud and debris.
