‘The great resurrection’ - Floyd Forbes beams as beloved Pelican Bar regains its pulse

The sea off St Elizabeth has long dictated the rhythm of life for those who depend on it. For Floyd Forbes, it did more than provide a livelihood -- it quietly charted the path to what would become one of Jamaica's most beloved attractions.

Forbes, born in Parottee in 1966, grew up in a household shaped by hard work and craft. His father, Daniel Forbes, was a well-known fisherman; and from boyhood, Forbes was by his side, casting lines at dawn and helping to sell the day's catch along the roadside by evening.

At home, his mother wove baskets, continuing a family tradition that demanded patience and steady hands -- traits her son would later draw upon at sea.

The vision that would become Floyd's Pelican Bar began modestly in 2001. Forbes constructed a simple wooden platform offshore, not as a business venture, but as an escape from the demands of fishing. "I didn't build it as a bar. It was my personal hang-out spot," he says. The structure was little more than a quiet refuge rising from the Caribbean waters.

It was a friend, Peck, who recognised its wider appeal. With boats ferrying visitors between Treasure Beach and the Black River Safari, Peck suggested Forbes offer refreshments.

Taking the advice, Forbes stocked a small igloo with Red Stripe and a few other drinks, adding home-style cooking to the experience. What began as a fisherman's hideaway soon started welcoming curious travellers.

Before long, the tiny structure perched on the sandbank gained a reputation of its own. Guests lingered over cold beers, soaking in uninterrupted ocean views. Some stretched out on the wooden planks, unwilling to part with the calm the setting provided.

"They say when they visit, it gives a different feeling, takes them elsewhere mentally," Forbes shares. For many, it became more than a stop along the coast -- it was an escape suspended between sea and sky.

But the bar's existence has been repeatedly tested by nature's force. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan destroyed the structure. Forbes rebuilt within the year, determined not to let the dream wash away. For nearly 20 years it stood resilient, even withstanding Hurricane Beryl in 2024.

Then Hurricane Melissa struck, erasing everything in its path. "There was nothing to go back to after Melissa," he said.

But what followed was not a solitary effort, but a collective one. The rebuilding of Floyd's Pelican Bar became a community undertaking. Fishermen transported lumber across choppy waters. Friends arrived with tools. Former employees returned on their own, clearing debris and helping reconstruct the bar piece by piece.

Neighbours offered meals, labour, and daily encouragement. Support also flowed from long-time partner Red Stripe, whose beer had been part of the bar's story since its earliest days.

Months later, the sandbar pulsed with life again. The reopening drew both locals and visitors eager to reclaim the experience. Music drifted across the water, plates were passed around, and laughter echoed once more.

As evening light settles across the horizon, Floyd's Pelican Bar stands once more -- rebuilt, resilient, and rooted deeply in the spirit of the people who refused to let it disappear.

"It is a great feeling to know my family, my community, and beyond will be given a chance to rise again," said Forbes. who called the reopening "the great resurrection".