Result worth all the work, sailor says

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/05/2011 (5233 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DROPPING water levels in the Assiniboine River meant Thursday would be the fourth and final time Ordinary Seaman David Rowat of HMCS Hunter would help fill 58,000 sandbags in a single night.

By Friday afternoon, flood officials had sealed a dike along the river that was breached a week ago. The deliberate cut at Hoop and Holler bend caused the intentional flooding of agricultural land, a sacrifice that protected homes downstream.

“It’s good to see results from our work, to know that we prevented something that could have been disastrous,” said Rowat, a resource-management support clerk with the HMCS Hunter. “It’s been extremely difficult. Tiring, wet and gruelling.”

Rowat, a Winnipeg native, volunteered to join 1,800 other Canadian Forces personnel in the region. Since May 11, the 51-year-old naval reservist has been assisting local authorities and volunteers in diverting flood waters from residential areas.

“The navy was something I always thought about growing up, but never had the drive to do. But after the cutbacks at Chrysler, where I had a customer-support position, I liked the opportunities for travel, adventure and making a difference,” he said. “And I’m originally from Winnipeg. I know the area, so this victory comes with a personal feeling of relief.”

A typical shift for Rowat and the other 60 soldiers he worked with mainly involved filling as many sandbags as possible. On average, his group filled approximately 58,000 each night at a rate of 4,850 per hour.

“The men had a bit of a competition with each other over how many thousands of sandbags they could fill and line the river with,” said Sub-Lt. David Lewis. “The night- and day-shift guys tried to outdo one another. It’s kept their morale high.”

— Windsor Star