After losing his home to a fire and almost losing his business to Mother Nature, Gavaska Lodge is back on his feet.

Mr. Lodge nearly lost the popular party boat he owns, MV Longtail, when a winter storm dislodged its mooring in February.

The boat's hull was damaged after it was carried by strong winds, which then smashed it into White's Island.

A week later, Mr. Lodge's family's apartment on Mount Hill in Pembroke was completely destroyed by fire.

"I must be the unluckiest person in Bermuda right now," he told The Royal Gazette then.

However he has since moved into a new home with his family wife Kathleen and daughters Kaitlyn, four, and Kaylah, six months and the business looks on track for a summer start.

According to Mr. Lodge everything in his new home was donated family members, friends and strangers came to his assistance once they heard his story.

"We have just moved into a great new place," he said. "We are so thankful for all the help that we have received. We were at the old place for ten years and we lost just about everything in the fire. Everything in this house was donated to us and we are better off now than before. We now have a large backyard for the kids and a house full of nice furniture."

His wife added: "The people of Bermuda really know how to get together and help one another.

"Luckily we were able to salvage some things from the fire. We still have our wedding photos, some knick knacks and the baby's christening gown, which has become a kind of family heirloom."

And the MV Longtail, out of service since February, is nearly ready to go back in the water for the summer season.

"There were a couple of holes that needed to be patched up but it is almost finished and we are already starting to book people for the season," said Mr. Lodge. "I want to get the word out that the boat will be ready for May 24. We have had some of our regular customers calling and asking if we are still in business a lot of them think that the boat was destroyed. I want to assure everyone that work is in progress. All the mechanical parts of the boat are in good working order and after a proper marine survey we will be back out on the water."

Mr. Lodge has been working on the MV Longtail for 20 years. He started at age 16 as a part-time employee for the boat's previous captain. He bought the business two years ago and has been operating it ever since.

The party and tour boat has been a venue for private parties and booze cruises for two decades. According to Mr. Lodge the Longtail will resume its popular happy hour booze cruises this summer.