Rafting resumes at Rio Grande

Berrydale, Portland:

Rafting has resumed on the Rio Grande, Portland's premier tourist attraction, following an emergency meeting held with representatives of the parish's Destination Assurance Council (DAC) and raft captains.

The meeting was held at the lone raft stand at Berrydale in the Rio Grande Valley to discuss concerns raised by the registered raft captains.

On Friday, the raft captains withdrew their service as a mark of protest after the police allegedly damaged three rafts belonging to farmers who are reportedly living across the Rio Grande in West Berrydale.

"Based on today's meeting, we are satisfied with the discussions and we will resume working with immediate effect, "said Lawrence Chisolm, president of the Raft Captains Association.

Fruitful meeting

He continued: "It was a fruitful meeting, where we were able to express our concerns and to recommend the necessary changes so as to keep Rio Grande rafting afloat. The DAC members were quite understanding and they listened attentively as we related our concerns over the likelihood of a proposed increase for us, the likelihood of insurance, and health benefits."

DAC Chairman Errol Hanna said it was unfortunate that the captains had to resort to strike action in a bid to get their concerns addressed.

"Rio Grande rafting is renown internationally," said Hanna.