Local Seafarers Celebrate 3rd Sea Sunday

By: Marsha Ebanks

Local seafarers celebrated their seafaring heritage at the 3rd annual Cayman Islands Sea Sunday event, hosted by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Cayman Islands and the Cayman Islands Seafarers’ Association on Sunday (9 July) at the Seafarers’ Hall in Prospect, Grand Cayman.

The special day, which is observed on the second Sunday in July each year, is a global celebration that gives God thanks for the lives and work of mariners and their families, as well as to recognise their positive impact to international trade.

The celebration in Grand Cayman was filled with stories of yesteryear, prayer and thanksgiving as well as food, fellowship and fun surprises for attendees.

President of the Cayman Islands Seafarer’s Association Denniston Tibbetts stated that he was proud to know that seafarers have done so much to build the Cayman Islands. “It is important that we keep activities going to recognise this group that has done so much for us. The first Sea Sunday event was held in Grand Cayman, last year we were in Cayman Brac and it is fitting that today we are at the Seafarers’ Hall.

He further noted that CISA has changed the rules to include membership of adult children of seafarers and also that they are currently adapting the articles of association to provide membership to grandchildren.

During the proceedings President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Cayman Islands Merle Whorms McGann, gave the welcome address and kept the proceedings enjoyable for the over one hundred guests who gathered to celebrate the Cayman Islands’ rich seafaring, history, culture and heritage.

In the spirit of Sea Sunday, a touching opening prayer was delivered by the Cayman Islands Seafaring Association’s in-house Chaplain Delano Bush, a former seafarer himself.

Following tradition, the national song of the Cayman Islands, Beloved Isle Cayman, filled the Hall. Also, on the programme was an in memoriam moment of silence and the ringing of the bell.

In her closing address, Mrs Whorms McGann reminded the audience that seafaring is not a thing of the past by but 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 explained.

The celebratory event included the introduction to the Cayman Maritime Foundation’s book, “The History of Turtlers and Schooners of the Cayman Islands”.

Sponsors of Cayman Islands Sea Sunday included A.L. Thompson, Fosters, Progressive Distributors Limited, Uncle Bill’s, Subway, Cayman Airways, Member of Parliament Moses Kirkconnell and Zemar Uniques Photography.

About Sea Sunday

In 1891 the Apostolate of Prayer first mailed devotional magazines and books from Wimbledon College to twelve ships and began enrolling seafarers in this pious association as a means of communication and hope in spirit while at sea. In 1893 the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul commenced 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 mostly were very many miles from their countries and families, often for long extended and very lonely periods.

With this fraternity, Sea Sunday was born, and has grown to an annual global celebration. Officially held on the second Sunday in July each year, on Sea Sunday churches globally, set aside services to remember, recognize and pray for seafarers and their families and give God thanks for their lives, their work and contribution to international trade.