Harbour Drive renamed for mariners
(CNS): Harbour Drive and sections of both North and South Church Streets have been renamed Seafarers Way. Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose said the change in name was “to correct a glaring omission by recognising the undeniable role of our seafarers and shipbuilders and their connection to this stretch of road”. Rose said the renaming, which took place at a ceremony on Friday, instituted a “permanent homage” to the country’s historic mariners.
“This road is named Seafarers Way as a tribute to those who went down to the sea in ships,” he said.
The decision to rename the road was made by the previous administration but taken up and supported by the new government. In his address during the ceremony, Premier Wayne Panton paid tribute to the Cayman Islands’ seafaring heritage.
Although there are few people working as mariners today, as just two Caymanian men are employed as merchant seamen now, most people still have family members who went to sea and sent back the remittances that sustained and eventually built the Cayman economy and the continued importance of the sea to Cayman’s economy.
While Caymanians may no longer build or steer merchant ships, the sea remains central to the economy and provides jobs. “The sea is still providing for the Caymanian economy, from the Shipping Registry, to fishermen, marine biologists and more,” he said.
Panton linked the country’s seafaring heritage with its status today as a global financial centre. “The business case for opening the first commercial bank on Grand Cayman came about because of the men who went to sea and sent remittances home for their families. At one time those remittances were used to help fund government’s finances, so that shows the significance of their impact.”
The new Seafarers Way signs at Cardinal Avenue, Mary Street and Fort street were unveiled by various officials and members of the Seafarers Association.
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Category: Local News
Why hate the guinine seafarers, they do deserve all and more than what they getting. BUT some that getting the seamen Benfits never went to sea working on ships, they the ones that people should be against getting the benefits. The Seafarers put these Islands that time forgot on the world map and layed the foundation for what these Islands are today. Facts are fact. But you Johnnys come lately don’t understand that. Sad.
Very observant..
Anonymous says:
30/06/2021 at 7:21 am
Sure hope we are not going backwards.
love the way the new sign is based on old street sign design and does not match the new street signs as evident by the cardinal sign in the photo.
another great job by the civil service.
A lousy street sign when no government stepped in to help preserve the ‘Goldfield’ left to rot in the North sound. Give me a break!
Or the Jolly Roger! Another piece of our history gone.
Or the Valhalla…oh wait.
And…. another beautiful historic home – this one in Cayman Brac bought by a foreigner and will probably be demolished. Government needs to step up and use our funds appropriately instead of giving it to “investors”.
While, in my opinion, the re naming ceremony was very nice indeed – however, I really don’t agree with the renaming.
Yeh because there is just no way ‘Harbour Drive’ could have a connection with seafaring.
As soon as I read this I thought, of all the things that need the focus of these very highly paid officials, this is what they’re up to? And if they must, why not “Seafarers Harbour Drive”?
It’s like “Harquail Bypass” – what’s the new name?
Or Crewe Road Bypass – new name? “Lynn Ford Pear Son”?
When will “Bobby Thompson Way” be completed? After starting 15+ years ago?
I hope when we get to the biggest Christian event of the year they can now afford some proper, modern lights and displays for a change!
Halloween?
caymanians are some some of the best seafarers in the world……according to caymanians.
What an ignorant and unnecessary comment. I’m sure you think you’re quite clever to post something like that. Stop wasting oxygen and do something useful with your time.
Like in any nation there are the genuinely good, some who think they’re good, and the not so good.
I happen to know of situations including where a Caymanian has risen to be the most senior Captain, and hence Commodore, of one of the world’s largest shipping companies.
According to their track records!!!! Which speak for them! They don’t t have to say a word! Who the hell are you?? Which bird s….t you out flying?😱😱devil
Satan 👿 👿👿👿👹🤡🎃🤖☠️👽which rock you just crawl out from??? If u have nothing good to say please say nothing! 🤬🤬🤬
truth hurts??
yep..the worlds best self-backslappers.
yes….caymanians say the same thing about caymanian pilots at their caymanian national airline.
It’s nice they changed the name.
What is glaring is that CIG is so out of touch with how this country functions. Time and time again the Waterfront is closed for some sort of event. From the Museum Days with a bouncy castle and a tent with a banquet table under it, to music events, to Mr. Bryan’s Hog Sty Days, the list goes on!
Cardinal Avenue on the other hand could be permanently closed and designed for events like this. Including ceremonial events typically outside the House of Parliament.
Seafarers Way is a main road, its use has to be respected.
Any goodwill directed at George Town goes out the door when these events are approved.
11.14am If we close Cardinal Ave, it should be renamed PACT Avenue as it will be the road to nowhere.
when we getting money laundering avenue???
Should have called it
“Salty Sea Dog Drive”
After Baby Mama Drive
One thing that successive governments here are all good at is wasting money on utter dross. South Sound board walk is a cracking example.
Should have called it Scroungers Street
Or Trough Turn.
Why not march down to the fuel companies and CUC and start negotiating a reduction…instead of f^%$ around with street signs.
Did Harbour Drive not give the same respect? Is it not only seafarers of all types, past and present, that use a harbour? Seems like a cost exercise for both public and private organisations.
Yes, as those businesses will now have to redo all print work that has the street address on it. WHAT A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!
Not to mention, lots of cities etc. have a Harbour Drive – it conveys ‘prime address by the water’ easily. Seafarers Way sounds like something out of a children’s board game. So every business on that street has lost an asset.
don’t get why some people getting worked up over a street name change. It’s not in the name of some tyrant and the name change isn’t hurting anyone and you’ll forget about this in about 2 weeks.
Should they have changed the street name? probably not, but it’s so miniscule to the everyday caymanian life yet provides some sort of recognition to the seafarers what’s the big deal?
However, don’t understand why the government couldn’t have held this ceremony on a day where there would be less traffic, that’s just nonsensical
Because it’s a waste of resources particularly at a time when those should be reserved.
Ok then can we also rename Fort Street to Skullduggery Row to better reflect the majority of individuals that have represented the people in our House of Parliament.
How many seafarers are still getting government benefits 50 years after most Caymanian men stopped going to sea and after very many of them have died of old age? Or are these benefits still going to those young foreign women so many of them seem to have married in recent years? Can the Seafarers Association give us numbers of seamen, ages and dependents?
They won’t do that 9:10 because the information would be too embarrassing.
Also….. in conjunction to the monthly pay out – the Seafarers fund is also paying some people’s utility and water bill – these people have lots of property and their children have good jobs. No shame no consideration. Shameful.
How about putting up street signs on all streets next?
Or getting them shown on Google maps. Trying to find a particular road in Cayman is so difficult. No proper detailed road atlas available and many of the roads not registering on mapping apps and software.
Why not Darts highway to Seafarers Heading Way.
Let’s leave Harbor Dr. as all will still call it Harbor Dr.
Like Hurst Rd….. All still call it Newlands Rd. 35 years after the fact.
Some of the goodwill extended to seafarers, and our new leaders will have been eroded by the Genius who decided to hold the ceremony along the busiest narrow road.
Especially at the height of the Friday morning rush hour causing chaos, log jammed roads and frustration to thousands.
What about plain Common sense being applied when organizing these events.
Right?! They could have put a sign up Wednesday or Thursday notifying those who drive through regularly of the change. I would have made a plan to go the other way.
OR!!!! The roadblock could have started at 9A to avoid the heaviest of the morning rush hour would have been the best idea.
At least the road was not closed for Jamacian Independence Day et al… Another despicable thing that the past governments entertained. Despicable I hope PACT put a stop to this. Evidently these people must love their country so Why are they here????
Harbour.
28@3:31pm – CIG felt that “Harbour Drive” does not have nautical connotations. Hmmm.
Thank you to our seafarers for developing Cayman’s economy into what it is today.
They are clearly directly responsible for the miami beach hotel and appartment complexes being build, Camana bay and our financial services.
Lol
The seafarers built the foundation, and made it so strong that the “Johnny come lately’s” like you came and were able to build many stories on that excellent base.
Of course bobo my mistake.
Accountant Avenue, Lawyer Lane, Barrister Street, Developers Close…
Uhm, are Caribbean smugglers getting seafarers benefits?