Smooth-Sailing Aboard Sanford-Based Rivership Romance After Storms Subside

SANFORD, FL – March, 2005 – Many businesses folded under the pressure of the four recent historic Florida hurricanes, Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. In addition to immediate physical damage from the hurricanes, the aftermath of the storms including loss of electricity and potable water took a toll on all in Central Florida.

The implications of these storms are not so clear from afar. Cooking, bathing, keeping food refrigerated and operating gas pumps are among a few of the amenities most of us take for granted that were not available after the storms. Many Central Floridians lived in these suboptimal conditions while continuing to work full-time. Weekends were spent repairing properties and making insurance claims. As you can imagine, the resulting psychological and economic effects continued to pummel life and business in the area long after the storms passed.

One of the areas of Central Florida hardest hit by the hurricanes was the city of Sanford. The downtown area was one of the most affected by the torrential rains, causing main streets to be closed for several months due to tremendous flooding. Many local businesses call this area home and were severely impacted because of soft economic conditions and people’s reluctance to venture into these hardest hit areas.

Like all of Central Florida, The Rivership Romance, a Sanford-based heritage business is now getting back on its feet after the pummeling storms literally knocked the wind out of its sails.

The Rivership’s port is on the Sanford RiverWalk in the heart of the devastation. “Many of the businesses around here had to close up shop,” says Bob Hopkins, owner of The Rivership Romance. “I think for a long time people didn’t think we were even sailing, because of the road closures and flooding.”

The picturesque riverboat that sails daily with hundreds of locals and tourists up and down the historic St. Johns River on three and four hour lunch or dinner cruises was not damaged in the storms due to the quick thinking of its captain and his father.

Bob and Robert Hopkins sailed The Romance up the river and parked the boat inside a cove which provided the ship adequate cover during the storms. Both passengers stayed with the ship for 24 hours at a time as the storms moved across the area. They did this for each of the three hurricanes that directly hit Central Florida.

“The recent storms really took a toll on our community and our business, now it’s our time to get the word out that this baby is ship-shape and sailing,” explains Robert Hopkins, owner and ship’s captain. “This year is going to be very exciting for us and our passengers; we have many new and exciting surprises on the horizon.”

Residents and business throughout Florida have weathered the storms. As this state, whose economy is driven largely by tourism, looks forward to normal life, you are invited to visit Sanford and all of Central Florida and enhance its economy as it continues to recover.

About The RiverShip Romance: The RiverShip Romance provides the richness and total relaxation of a lunch or dinner cruise on board a 98-foot triple-decked rivership. The ship sets sail daily on the historic St. Johns River and allows indulgence on three and four hour jaunts. For more information, visit http://www.rivershipromance.com.

Media contact: http://www.scend.net
Travis Miller
407.275.8667