Meet 'Uber Rob,' the Darlings Island flood hero

Most people know himas "The Darlings Island Hero."

Some call him "Mr. Rob,"and others have dubbed him "Uber Rob."

If I was in this situation I would want somebodyto help me.- Rob Dekany

Rob Dekany hasbeen using his powerboat to ferry flood-stranded Darlings Island residents to and from the mainland all week.

But unlike Uber, his water taxi isfree.

"I do it because if I was in this situation I would want somebodyto help me," said Dekany.

"I had the means to help people, so this is what I'm doing."

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Residents of the small community, tucked between Nauwigewauk and Hampton in southern New Brunswick, havebeen cut off from the mainland since Sunday, when floodwaters covered their only access road Darlings Island Road making it impassable for vehicles.

Dekanydoesn't live on Darlings Island, but he grew up on the Hammond River and has never seen the waterso high.

"This is crazy, isn't it?"

Record-breaking levels

On Monday, people could wade across in their rubber boots.

By Tuesday, they needed hip-waders to get through the cold, murky water.

And by Wednesday, people were forced to use chest-waders, canoes orkayaks.

Thursday isexpected to be even worse.

The water level is forecastto reach5.4metres, well above the flood stage of 4.2 metresand it doesn't stop there.

Emergency officials predict the river will continue to swell from spring thaw andrain, producing record-breaking levels of about six metres by Sunday, followed by three or four days of recovery.

'Above and beyond kindness'

Dekanysaid he'll continue to offerhis shuttle service for as long as people need it.

He has taken time off from his job and assignedhimself two shifts per day. Today, he will start his river runat 5:45 a.m., until 10 a.m., and then again from about 3 p.m.to 10 p.m.

"He's a rock star,"Kevin Marshall posted on Facebook.

"A mark of a true gentleman," agreed Barry English.

"Heart warming," wrote Tanya Johnston-Sullivan.

"Above and beyond kindness," said Beverly Sanders.

Meet Darlings Island's hero

6 years ago

Duration 0:51

Rob Dekany takes people back and forth from the island to the mainland on his boat ... free of charge.

The New Brunswick government used to run a boat shuttle for Darlings Island residents during flooding. But in 2015, the provinceannounced it would nolonger provide the service.

The province has confirmedit's nowlooking at raising the road but would have to acquiresome properties. Negotiations with those landowners are expected to begin inthe coming weeks, officials have said.

For now, it's up to residents to find their own way to work, school, medical appointments or whatever other business they might have on the mainland.

Dekanyestimates he transported about 40 people on Monday night alone and had a steady stream of passengers on Tuesday, including a woman in her 80swho had to go to the Saint John Regional Hospital that night.

"Other than the logs and whatnot it's actuallybeen prettygood," he said. "The people are really appreciative of having me do this, for sure."

Dekany provides pickup and drop-off on the Darlings Island side at the covered bridgeand about two kilometres away on the Nauwigewaukside of the road, where many people leave their vehicles parked.

He can take up to five passengers at a time in his 150-horsepower boat and greets them with a friendly, "How you doin'?"

He evensupplies life-jackets.

Community rallies

"Thank you, Rob," one man said as he disembarked from the boat.

"Any time sir, any time," Dekanyreplied with a smile.

"He is an absolute godsend to us we're so thankful for his selfless help," one person posted on Facebook.

Tasha Dawn was so grateful for her boat ride Tuesday night, she suggestedtaking up a community collection for a gas gift card for Dekany after herefused to accept any money.

"Boats are hard on gas, and with the amount of trips back and forth this is surely going to be expensive for him," Dawn posted on the Darlings Island Facebook group.

"He is so amazing we would be more [than] happy to contribute," replied Chris Calder.

"Count us in," wrote Nancy McKiel. "Glad to know who he is! He took Dan across Monday night in the dark, and back over to mainland this morning."

"We definitely need to do something for him," agreed Flavia Clark.

If the gift card idea doesn't work out, Cheryl Campbell has another one.

"Found out Uber Rob loves sour gummie candy!"