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“Voices of the Sea” Launches Cayman’s Living Legacy of Seafarers

Front Pages 03 Jul, 2025 Follow News

By Christopher Tobutt Christopher.tobutt@gmail.com

It was standing room only at Constitution Hall on Wednesday evening, 25 June, as the Cayman Islands officially launched the Seafarers Registry — a heartfelt tribute to the men and women whose lives at sea helped shape the nation we know today.

Originally planned for the Historic Library in George Town, the event had to be relocated to accommodate the unexpectedly large turnout — a testament to just how deeply the legacy of Cayman’s seafarers resonates across generations.

The launch, aptly titled “Voices of the Sea”, was organised by Celebrate Cayman, the government initiative dedicated to preserving and promoting the islands’ cultural heritage. The event coincided with the International Day of the Seafarer, adding global significance to a uniquely Caymanian celebration.

At the heart of the evening was the unveiling of the Seafarers Registry, an innovative online portal designed to preserve the stories, memorabilia, and maritime contributions of Cayman’s seafaring community. Attendees were invited to explore the registry, verify or update existing entries, and contribute their own family histories — turning the archive into a living, breathing record of national pride.

A Joint Effort, Years in the Making

The registry is the result of a close collaboration between the Cayman Islands Seafarers Association and government entities such as Celebrate Cayman. Executive Chair Alfonso Wright acknowledged the challenges of gathering and verifying records, and praised Marzeta Bodden at the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, for her tireless work behind the scenes.

Wright shared that the registry already holds over 3,000 names, including 741 captains, many of whom helmed massive oil tankers for companies like National Bulk Carriers. “We did our best to make it as simple and user-friendly as possible,” he said, explaining that families and descendants can upload everything from photos and licenses to discharge papers and port logs — any document that helps tell a seafarer’s story.

This moment was years in the making. In 2021, Cayman’s seafarers were officially honoured during National Heroes Day, with hundreds of awards presented to living pioneers and their families. That celebration laid the groundwork for the registry’s creation — a digital monument to those who built the country from the sea up.

A Cultural Celebration with Heart

The atmosphere at Constitution Hall was both festive and reverent. A choir from the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) filled the space with stirring harmonies, and digital displays brought the seafaring past vividly to life.

One of the most moving moments came with the unveiling of the Seafarers’ Quilt, a patchwork of stories and symbols lovingly stitched by a group of local ladies who had worked tirelessly.  Nasaria Suckoo Chollette praised the women behind the quilt - a powerful expression of Caymanian tradition. She spoke passionately about the women who stayed behind — raising families, managing households, and holding the country together while their husbands were at sea.

Nasaria also read from “Allotment Day”, a poem written by her mother, Virginia Suckoo, which captured the quiet strength of those women:

 “Where are all these women going

Dressed up, fans in hands, church shoes and church hats?

It’s Allotment Day on the 20th.

They are all lining up at the front of the shop,  Jostling for the front of the line, listening to hear if their names will be called…”

The poem drew nods and murmurs of recognition from the audience – many seafarers and their families had come for the occasion and it felt like a shared memory.

Leaders United in Tribute

The event was attended by a full slate of Cayman’s leadership, underscoring its national importance. Among those present were Premier André Ebanks, Deputy Premier Gary Rutty, Speaker of Parliament Ezzard Miller, and Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose, whose father, Pastor Winston Rose, was a seafarer himself. Pastor Rose featured in a short documentary screened during the evening, offering a personal lens into the sacrifices and triumphs of life at sea.

Minister of Culture and Heritage Isaac Rankine, representing East End, delivered a heartfelt address, praising the registry as a long-overdue recognition of Cayman’s maritime roots. He spoke of his own father’s time at sea and the pride he felt in seeing that legacy honoured in such a meaningful way.

Also in attendance were senior members of the Opposition, including Joey Hew, Leader of the People’s Progressive Movement, and George Town Elected Representative Kenneth Bryan

A Living Archive for Future Generations

The event also featured a mini-exhibition of artefacts — from navigation tools to family photographs — generously loaned by the public. These items will remain on display at the Historic Room until 4 July, before the exhibition travels to Cayman Brac for a second round of celebrations.

In a world that often moves too fast to look back, Voice of the Sea was a powerful reminder that the past still speaks — and that the voices of Cayman’s seafarers deserve to be heard, remembered, and celebrated.


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