I nominate my grandfather Captain Japheth Osbert Ebanks also known as Captain 'Oddi'. At a tender age of 16 years, my grandfather began his life as a seaman. In 1920 he made his first trip on the MARCO with his elder brother Captain Soloman McSherry Ebanks transporting cargo between Grand Cayman/ Jamaica /USA/Cuba. 1926 he began visiting the Mosquito Keys with his brother on the ' ANTARAS' and later in that year became the Captain. Between 1926 -1959 he Captained many voyages to the Mosquito Kay's, also making many cargo runs between Grand Cayman/ Honduras and Bloomfield Nicaragua. Some of the ships he sailed during this time was JENSON, WILSON and the SENBOKA In 1959 he captained the WILSON although she was mainly used for cargo between Grand Cayman and Cuba he also used her for a few turtle runs. In 1963 he sailed with Captain Vincent Garvin on the WESTINDIAN LINE until 1965 Again Between 1965 -1975 he Captained a number of ships to the Mosquito Keys including THE CAYMAN PILOT, The SEA ALCO, THE ELCO and THE LA QUAY, each voyage to the keys took around 5-7 weeks and he always returned with 200-250 turtle each time. The majority of his crew came from West Bay but occasionally he would have crew members from as far as East End. Hundreds of young men sailed under his leadership with many going on to own their own vessels. He was taught to be one on best Captain of his time and the ships he sailed represented some of the most prominent families in the Cayman Islands. He loved to depart his knowledge and many young Caymanian men was the recipient of his knowledge and experience. He always spoke with pride whenever one of his sailors made success. In 1970 he got caught in a very heavy Northeaster' and he was shipped wrecked, He and his crew was on sea in small life boat for six day, they drifted into Honduras and thankful all crew made it home safely. His last voyage was to the mosquito Keys was in 1975 on the LA QUA, at the age 69 years he put up his Sexton. Papa was seafarer who for oven 53 years was and exceptional Sea Captain who in all his life assisted with building of these Islands.

I nominate my grandfather Captain Japheth Osbert Ebanks also known as Captain 'Oddi'. At a tender age of 16 years, my grandfather began his life as a seaman. In 1920 he made his first trip on the MARCO with his elder brother Captain Soloman McSherry Ebanks transporting cargo between Grand Cayman/ Jamaica /USA/Cuba. 1926 he began visiting the Mosquito Keys with his brother on the ' ANTARAS' and later in that year became the Captain. Between 1926 -1959 he Captained many voyages to the Mosquito Kay's, also making many cargo runs between Grand Cayman/ Honduras and Bloomfield Nicaragua. Some of the ships he sailed during this time was JENSON, WILSON and the SENBOKA In 1959 he captained the WILSON although she was mainly used for cargo between Grand Cayman and Cuba he also used her for a few turtle runs. In 1963 he sailed with Captain Vincent Garvin on the WESTINDIAN LINE until 1965 Again Between 1965 -1975 he Captained a number of ships to the Mosquito Keys including THE CAYMAN PILOT, The SEA ALCO, THE ELCO and THE LA QUAY, each voyage to the keys took around 5-7 weeks and he always returned with 200-250 turtle each time. The majority of his crew came from West Bay but occasionally he would have crew members from as far as East End. Hundreds of young men sailed under his leadership with many going on to own their own vessels. He was taught to be one on best Captain of his time and the ships he sailed represented some of the most prominent families in the Cayman Islands. He loved to depart his knowledge and many young Caymanian men was the recipient of his knowledge and experience. He always spoke with pride whenever one of his sailors made success. In 1970 he got caught in a very heavy Northeaster' and he was shipped wrecked, He and his crew was on sea in small life boat for six day, they drifted into Honduras and thankful all crew made it home safely. His last voyage was to the mosquito Keys was in 1975 on the LA QUA, at the age 69 years he put up his Sexton. Papa was seafarer who for oven 53 years was and exceptional Sea Captain who in all his life assisted with building of these Islands.