Cayman’s seafarers attended an annual event held at Seafarers Hall on Sunday, 9 July, to recognise their work and contribution to international trade.
The global religious celebration, which is observed on the second Sunday in July each year, is an opportunity to give thanks for the lives and work of mariners and their families.
“It was filled with stories of yesteryear, prayer and thanksgiving as well as food, fellowship and fun surprises for attendees,” a government press release said.
It was the third time Sea Sunday has been held in the Cayman Islands and saw more than 100 people attend to celebrate the territory’s rich seafaring, history, culture and heritage.
This year the Society of St Vincent de Paul Cayman Islands and the Cayman Islands Seafarers Association hosted the gathering.
In-house Chaplain Delano Bush, a former seafarer himself, delivered an opening prayer.
The programme also featured the national song of the Cayman Islands, Beloved Isle Cayman, an in-memoriam moment of silence and the ringing of the bell.
During her closing address, society president Merle Whorms McGann reminded attendees that seafaring is still a vital part of the Caymanian and the global economy.
“Today, seafarers bring the world more than 93% of all household and business amenities. Without our seafarers, the world economy would collapse,” she said.
Denniston Tibbetts, president of the Cayman Islands Seafarers Association, said he was proud to know that seafarers have done so much to build the Cayman Islands.
He added that the association has changed the rules to include membership of adult children of seafarers, and is hoping to eventually provide membership to grandchildren.
The celebratory event included an introduction to the Cayman Maritime Heritage Foundation’s new book, ‘A History of Turtlers and Schooners of the Cayman Islands’.
In 1891 the Apostolate of Prayer first mailed devotional magazines and books from Wimbledon College to 12 ships.
It began enrolling seafarers in this pious association as a means of communication and hope in spirit while at sea.
Then in 1893 the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul began visiting seafarers when they anchored in various British ports.
Priests, pastors, chaplains and members of the various associations counselled and held church services for seafarers who were often many miles from their homes and families.
With this fraternity, Sea Sunday was born, and has grown into an annual global celebration.
On the day, churches globally set aside services to remember, recognise and pray for seafarers and their families.
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