It’s been 11 days since Richard Chapelow went missing after falling off a banana boat at the Santa Clara dam in Ourique, Beja and his body has yet to be found.
Searches for the 29-year-old British man have been scaled back this week and, at least until Sunday, no more underwater searches will take place.
“It has been a very risky task for our divers,” said local fire commander Mário Batista.
He added: “There is a total forest down there, 30 metres below the surface, which has made the searches much harder.”
However, two boats manned by four firefighters will continue to carry out searches on the surface.
Richard Chapelow was one of four Brits in a “banana-type boat” that overturned at the dam, but while the others made it to dry land the man never reappeared.
According to UK Daily Mail, Chapelow worked in marketing and advertising after attending London’s Latymer Upper School and Leeds University.
He was a guest of “property tycoon” Jon Hunt, the founder of the Foxtons estate agency, who reportedly owns property in the area.
A statement issued on behalf of the Hunt family said: “My family and I are devastated by the loss of Richard, following a tragic accident at Santa Clara Dam.
“Our thoughts and prayers are wholly with Richard’s family, and we ask that both families are given space to grieve such a painful loss.
“We will be working closely with the Portuguese authorities to understand what has happened, and are grateful to the local police and fire services for their efforts. It is a time of great sorrow.”
michael.bruxo@algarveresident.com
