Harbour Drive to be renamed Seafarers’ Way
(CNS): More than 180 Caymanian seafaring heroes were handed awards on Monday at a special event marking National Heroes Day, which honoured the country’s sea-going heritage. During the ceremony, Premier Alden McLaughlin revealed that Harbour Drive, the road that runs along the George Town seafront, will be re-named Seafarers’ Way to mark the special role that local mariners have played in Cayman’s history.
Leila Ross-Shier, who composed the National Song, “Beloved Isles Cayman”, was also named Cayman’s latest national hero.
Sticking with this year’s theme, the proceedings began with the blowing of a conch shell. Members of the Cayman Islands Seafarers’ Association arrived to ring a bell to commence the Watch, and kept watch throughout the proceedings. The seafaring pioneers were recognised as Early Pioneers, Pioneers, Excelled at Sea, Women in Seafaring, Memorial Scroll and Friends of Seafarers.
A formal recognition of Cayman Islands’ active seafarers was delivered by the Opposition Leader Arden McLean, who is, himself, a former seafarer. He lauded two Caymanians, both from the Brac, for being Still at Sea: Capt. Anderson Radley Scott, who works in Freeport, Texas, is one of only 400 mooring masters in the world, and Gentry Lee Tatum, an articulated tug barges specialist, works in New York.
Alongside the awards given to the seafarers, recipients of the Order of the Cayman Islands were also celebrated, and three new busts were unveiled in Heroes Square of Mary Evelyn Wood, Ormond Lauder Panton and William Warren Conolly.
Next year’s event will honour Uniformed Services.
See the event in full on CIGTV below:
Category: Community, Local News
Does anyone recall there being a public comment period on a proposed renaming of Harbour Drive? Does renaming this road somehow circumvent and/or negate planning, and/or NRA approval, or CI Port operational constraints in town, or someone’s “Harbour Drive” contract? Observing this regime, it’s gotta be more than just blatant pre-election PPM vote pandering in our faces – there must be another commercial angle we just can’t put our finger on.
Good name change, it will be under water soon. Maybe they can steam down it again in the near future.
Underwater Way. LoL
Or maybe: Never Expected This Because We Have No Foresight Way
What a wonderful hat, Miss Reba. It would be a worthy winner at Ascot. Thank you for all your good work. A well deserved honour.
I just cannot believe all these thumbs down for a lady that has done so much for the community. What is your problem.
Mr Chris many thanks for your kindness in supporting Miss Reba. I saw her and indeed you as well at the senior citizens party. She and two ladies in their resplendent costumes were much appreciated by us old Caymanians.
It is a very noteworthy hat Mr. Chris Johnson! Congrats Miss Reba!!! Fantastic!
Some people do not appreciate neither lovely hats nor effusive and wonderful full grown sea grape trees like yours. Glad you sorted out the beach lot also. Cayman needs more people like you Mr. Chris Johnson!!!
How are your plants coming along? Sea grape trees are wonderful to keep the soil from eroding and everyone loves to eat the fruit as a snack.
Happy New Year to all!!
I’m sure most of us will still refer to it as Harbour Drive – it just doesn’t make any sense renaming a prominent road as this one!! How many of you agree?
By now, with every suspicious action, we must ask ourselves, who benefits, and how? It wouldn’t be surprising to learn that someone, somewhere, is holding a lucrative backroom service contract that specified “Harbour Drive” and is now looking at worthless paper. With a pen stroke, it’s stripped away and awarded to a favored associate, while simultaneously playing to the Seafarer Voters going into an election. There is a commercial motivation always with this regime. It’s especially irresistible when they can smirk in the clever knowledge of having pulled another fast one over on the public while rewarding their fellow eel-kind. High fives with all the legal team.
So much hate in the hearts of so many people. Lord I pray they will seek peace and love and may the torment that they feel will vanish!
Alden, the real heroes of Cayman are the heroes the Caymanian People paid to be placed in Hero Square.. I am a Caymanian
who Contributed to have Mr Jim Bodden statue placed in Heros square.. I have the documents and brochure to prove this..
A hero is a person the people recognize as their Hero… not someone a political leader feels is a hero..
Time for you to go Alden..
Is this the same Jim Bodden whose company Prospect Properties went into liquidation owing millions ? If not perhaps they are related.
The same Jim Bodden that knocked down Fort George with a back hoe he drove himself.
Please , Please Red BAY VOTE Alden out….. every time I look at him I am pissed off we made him sooo important
That he forgot his people…
Vote him out… He does not care about us
It is a very noteworthy hat Mr. Chris Johnson! Congrats Miss Reba!!! Fantastic!
Some people do not appreciate neither lovely hats nor effusive and wonderful full grown sea grape trees like yours. Glad you sorted out the beach lot also. Cayman needs more people like you Mr. Chris Johnson!!!
How are your plants coming along? Sea grape trees are wonderful to keep the soil from eroding and everyone loves to eat the fruit as a snack.
Happy New Year to all!!
Hero’s Day lost all credibility when the homophobic, violent convicted woman beater was allowed on the stage and no one batted an eyebrow.
Absolutely disgraceful.
To be fair, Heroes Day never had any credibility. Great day for beach drinking though.
Yes, I agree. Facts are facts! Any hater or doubter (surely not a Caymanian, just saying) can Google Daniel Ludwig, National Bulk Carriers, a recruiter named Mr. Southwell, Cayman Islands Seafarers Association, “The Southwell Years”, a book by the late Consuelo Ebanks and other references…a good way to start. Then talk to the remaining seamen of that era!!
My father and many others served in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. Now if I were Trumpian I would have capitalized that name but every word deserves emphasis and respect! They volunteered for war, fighting on Britain’s (and ultimately Europe’s behalf)!! The same war that claimed the lives of many Caymanian merchant seamen at the hands of Nazi U-Boats, some almost within the sight of their beloved little speck in the Caribbean!! I know, I lost an uncle, among 3 Caymanian merchant seamen, to a U-boat just a few dozen miles off East End – his home. The same merchant seamen and naval volunteers who sent their littles pittances home to create an economy of this island when the sea was it’s main source! The same seafarers who risked life and limb in fierce storms on any ocean of the world (my brother-in-law thought he’d met his maker off Cape Hatteras).The same merchant seamen (especially) who always came back home with a new or late model American muscle or luxury car which helped to set a modern tone to these island (and had an impact on young car-lovers just saying). Yes, they worked hard and took risks and had great adventures! You tell me they’re not heroes of sorts? Haters, educate yourselves (please) or FO!
has beens
Calling people heroes for doing their jobs (and being paid to do so) is like handing out trophies for participation.
meh….half the time I don’t even know the name of the road I’m on. Is it West Bay Road, North Church Street, Harbour Drive, South Church Street, South Sound Road…..it’s all the same road and I don’t even know when it changes from one to the next.
Most people I know just refer to the stretch in town as the waterfront
That’s just sad.
I spent many years at sea as an Engineer and there is no way on this earth would I call myself a seaman. Some days I would never even see the sea, just an engine room and a cabin!
6:24 pm, you don’t call yourself a seaman and you worked on ships for any years ? you are an idiot , everyone can see that. Just an plain stupid idiot.
No I don’t class myself as a seaman and I wasn’t employed as a seaman, but I was employed as an Engineering Officer in the British Merchant Navy. Going by your thinking a waiter or waitress on a cruise ship would also be classed as a seaman and entitled to all the benefits the CI Government gives out.
5:54 pm, according to CI Govt. a seaman is classified as one who worked on ships as part of the crew going from one international port to another for a minimum of 5 years, and has to be Caymanian living in in the Cayman islands during his sea going career (sending his money home supporting these Cayman Islands) to be able to get the Seaman benefits.
Cruise ship waiter / waitress then qualifies
5:56 pm, yes waiters like messmen, they are part of the crew, if they are Caymanian and went to work on ships for x amount years before 1983,, living in Cayman sending their money home to support the community, yes they are entitled to the seamen benefits.
So the road that goes past the harbour is now not going to be named after the “Harbour”!
Brilliant. So all those on Church Street, north and south need change their addresses on thir letter heads and websites as well as the telephone directory insertion.
This must have been a huge decision for our politicians. God help all of us.
And maps, business cards, etc. What an incredible waste. This should have been done years ago before streets were actually named. Now it seems more like this decrepit bunch of MPs want this to be seen as doing something of significance.
Disgraceful
Thanks, this is top priority right now.
To everyone of you who anonymously vilify our seamanship tradition, I say you speak out of pure jealousy, your cojones aren’t put on right . That obviously your problem lack of manhood which becomes evident by your asinine comments.
I dare say a trip to the drop off with the bunch of youse ,don’t mean the dump, would surely enhance the quality of air around here. You all need to behave in another mans land, don’t take the Cayman Kind slogans as a sign that there aren’t ready and willing Patriots around here ya hear., ya see we but really don’t know we.
I’m Caymanian as it gets but okay.
Lol
Still at sea??? I always thought a mooring master was land-based job.
A mooring master is one that goes on board the ship Bridges and takes over from the Captain and by giving orders brings 2 ship together while under way, other words Ties 2 ships together, instead of docking them to a dock. For discharging from one ship to another, mostly crude oil. We Cayman Brackers did that in the waters around Cayman brac and Little Cayman from early 1977 earky to late 1986. I was one of the Banks Brothers that did “Ship to ship transfers”
Is there already a Mariner’s Way. It would roll off the tongue more easily.
Caymanians was up there with the Norwegians as the best seamen in the world. Facts are facts
yeah sure
Lol
We Brackers think the way M P
Kenneth Bryan was Dressed at the Seamens Heroes Rewards Ceremony in Cayman Brac, was very disrespectful to Brackers.
What was he wearing?
Banana hammock?
Sometimes we expect too much of some people.
So what ?
I thought David was one of the best seaman in the world…..until he got lobbed in the last minute. How we laughed!!!
Was
Seafarers’ Harbour Drive, should just added Seafarers’
Got to say any medal or award that Alden received has absolutely no meaning unless it like was for betraying Caymanians and their children for personal gain…first prize there.
Jolly young man he was
Roger that is…
Why not “Roady McRoadface”?
OMG… I spot of drink out reading this comment LOL
I will call it Seamen Drive.
Especially after Batabano
Better get a couple of grit spreaders in to the next NRA budget.
Seafarers’ Harbour Drive, should just added Seafarers’
That’s a a slippery slope.
I am a proud Caymanian by birth and by virtue of generations of born Caymanian ancestors and I have this to say about this news:
1. Order of the CI award is, as I expected, a farce – just a method to award goons, political lackeys and friends. Heather Bodden, whom I respect greatly, should have declined hers because it diminishes the value of the consistent work she continues to give this country. She is worthy of a Royal award not this stupid local gong!. Other people have gotten MBE’s for less civic contribution!
2. Harbour Drive is already a nautical name. Yes I value the seafarers’ contribution but “Seafarers’ Way” sounds like a lifestyle!! Let’s hang red lights all along that Way!
3. Another “National Hero”?? OMG!!! For sure, that designation is now so watered down it means nothing. Other places with real heroes who shed blood and gave lives for their countries/islands must be laughing at us! What a mess!! Fine with me though, because the first “NH” was a crooked pirate politician so it was tainted from the get go!!
If you feel that way why not recommend her for 1 of the Queens awards. That is why persons are encouraged to do so. Other countries does offer awards to their citizens what is wrong with us doing so. Some of the remarks here is so uncalled for but guess a prophet as it goes is not recognised in his own country.
We are not a country.
1,000%
Agreed. The nomination process is odd. Anyone can nominate anyone. On Cayman Brac, all seamen should have been honored. Or, 5 or 6 outstanding ones. When seamen, or any “heroes” for that matter, don’t have braggart family members nominating them they are overlooked. Need a better vetting system for sure.
Can I have my prize rooster back?
Tongue twister. Sea-fa-way
The gentlemen who enjoy the occasional alcoholic refreshment are certainly going to enjoy the new park.
If only they know what really went on on those ships….Oh wait, they do.
Just ask about Roger the Cabin Boy.
180 seafaring heroes you say? Lol
Yes. It’s a dangerous job, which was usually done out of necessity. The pay packets sent home were used by the women to run households. Merchants gave credit until the money came. So back when Cayman was just a few thousand people, hundreds of its men at a time were away at sea to feed their families. I do not know about WWI but certainly in WWII Caymanians serving on merchant vessels were lost (one in my own family). One of my ancestors was one of the earliest and most accomplished Caymanian seamen and he really was a hero. I won’t say what for because it would identify me. But yes, they are heroes – small h. Heroes to their families, heroes to the Cayman of yesteryear, heroes today as we look back. Laugh all you want.
If you are so proud why not mention your name.
I am an active professional and I don’t want to turn the comment section into story day about my family? Good enough reason for you? We are not all retired multi-millionaires.
Can’t say I’m thrilled about them renaming Harbour Drive. Seafarers’ Way? It doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. I’ll keep referring to it as Harbour Drive. Arrest me!
caymanians…. the best self-back-slappers in the world.
trying to cover-up for their lack of real achievements.
remember, self praise is no praise.
12:51,etapa Caymanian brasher, you and your like crew I encourage you sl to come I put on Harbor Drive on Saturday morning at 8:30 AM if you so dare . Got talk anonymously huh now let’s see who achieves what! No weapons allowed just you and your poor arms and legs and other now movable parts. Arsehokes!
Put the pipe down.
Eh?
Beat yourself to death with abysmal grammar!
Will be there. You will still be sleeping that sh!t off unda da coconut tree.. maybe 10am you getup and get lick wild more rum an come fine we…
What a BRILLIANT photo on this article!
Is it alive?
A great way to remember the Islands’ reputation for cheap non-unionized labour! So handy to undercut equivalent US workers.
LOL
What a joker you are – and you all complained about every nationality that came ever since – most recently, the Chinese
It’s a big boy world, trump is gone, pull up your pants.
PS. Many Caymanian-born seafarers were also union members. They were just better at their jobs and did not complain as you still do.
Trump will be back to Washington in 2024. The greatest besides McKeeva in West Bay our next Premier.
Now that would be nice.
Caymans’ voters get what they deserve as did America’s voters.
Unfortunately, Trump would have likely passed on by 2024… of bitterness, anger, and longing.