I nominate Mr. Powery for an award in the category of Pioneer. Like so many others of his generation, Mr Powery left his home at the tender age of 18 years to earn money to help support his family. He joined the SS BulkOil in April 1956 and worked for 6 months as a Messman. Following that trip, he returned on the SS Harold H Helm, again as a Messman. Next, he progressed to the position of Wiper in 1957 on the SS Ulysses. In order to progress further, he traveled to New York and sat the exam to qualify as a Engineer. He continued his seafaring career, on various vessels, in the position of 3rd Engineer for a further 8 or 9 years. Mr Powery retired from the seafaring life in 1966 and moved to New York, where he worked as an Engineer for many years. He went on to study Law and then returned home to reside in Cayman in 2006. Upon his return, he became aware that many of his former shipmates were dying from lung cancer or mesothelioma, caused by exposure to asbestos during their seafaring years. He took it upon himself to find a way to help the families left behind. He contacted the law firm of Weitz & Luxembourg in New York and formed a relationship with them to file financial claims on behalf of the estate of each of these men. Since 2009 he has successfully assisted numerous grateful Caymanian families to receive financial damages from various manufacturers and suppliers of asbestos.

I nominate Mr. Powery for an award in the category of Pioneer. Like so many others of his generation, Mr Powery left his home at the tender age of 18 years to earn money to help support his family. He joined the SS BulkOil in April 1956 and worked for 6 months as a Messman. Following that trip, he returned on the SS Harold H Helm, again as a Messman. Next, he progressed to the position of Wiper in 1957 on the SS Ulysses. In order to progress further, he traveled to New York and sat the exam to qualify as a Engineer. He continued his seafaring career, on various vessels, in the position of 3rd Engineer for a further 8 or 9 years. Mr Powery retired from the seafaring life in 1966 and moved to New York, where he worked as an Engineer for many years. He went on to study Law and then returned home to reside in Cayman in 2006. Upon his return, he became aware that many of his former shipmates were dying from lung cancer or mesothelioma, caused by exposure to asbestos during their seafaring years. He took it upon himself to find a way to help the families left behind. He contacted the law firm of Weitz & Luxembourg in New York and formed a relationship with them to file financial claims on behalf of the estate of each of these men. Since 2009 he has successfully assisted numerous grateful Caymanian families to receive financial damages from various manufacturers and suppliers of asbestos.