Thanks for allowing me, on behalf of all widows of Caymanian seamen, to pay tribute and say a big thank you to Captain Owen Farrington.
He was president of the Cayman Islands Seafarer’s Association from 2001 to 2003 and made the lives of widows of Caymanian seamen better than they had been experiencing.
He first discussed what he would like to do for the widows of deceased Caymanian seamen with the Minister of Health who agreed with him and encouraged him to make the Seafarer’s Association an organisation that would be representative of the Cayman Islands, which produced the best seamen in the world.
He next discussed his plans with the council, which thought it was a good idea and at the next general meeting, the motion to allow widows of Caymanian seamen to become members of the Association in their own right was passed unanimously. This motion became known as the Widows Motion.
I am sure that many Caymanians were as appreciative as I was to see a picture of the ill fated MV Nunoca. We all heard about the Nunoca’s mysterious disappearance, but had not seen a picture of her until now. Capt. Owen had a picture of this vessel that was given to him by a boyhood friend, Mr. Larry Ebanks, and the picture was used in the 2012 Seafarer’s calendar.
We heard of the rescue made by Capt. Owen and his crew of a group of shark fishermen who were out of drinking water. He had to abandon his voyage and take these men to Grand Cayman. They were not his responsibility as a Caymanian schooner had taken them to the Hobies Cays, but never went back to them in time to keep them from getting out of drinking water. This is an interesting story but could not ask for it to be printed in this issue of the Compass. My father-in-law, the late Capt. Joseph Anglin, was one of these men that were rescued; also was my nephew Mr. McClearn Anglin.
On behalf of the widows of Caymanian seamen, and indeed families of the men that were rescued, we say a big thank you and may God continue to bless you as you write those beautiful tributes to our deceased seamen, which are read at their funerals.
Lastly, we would like to recognise Capt. Owen for his loving care of his dear wife Jen who has Parkinson’s Disease. He is living the matrimonial pledge he made at their wedding 58 years ago; “in sickness and in health” to be by her side. We must acknowledge God’s guidance for this exceptional man, who listened to God and took His guidance in caring for his wife.
To have waited until Cap. Owen Farrington passed, to pay tribute to him, would have been so wrong. May God continue to bless these Islands and its people as we strive to honour Him as Lord and Master.
Miriam Anglin
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