Benson O. Ebanks Sr. began his career at sea by going to the Miskito Cays at the age of 16 years on the turtling schooners. At age 17 he went to the United States where over many years he enjoyed a varied and interesting career. He sailed on three- and five-masted schooners, worked on private yachts, tugboats, tankers, lighthouse tenders and dredges, including one that built the Panama Canal. He obtained his British Board of Trade Masters License qualifying him to sail as Captain at age 28 and was known from then on as 'Capt Benson'. Undoubtedly he was a man who helped establish the reputation of superior seamanship that Caymanians enjoyed. He took many younger men under his wing and passed on his knowledge to them, and helped them establish themselves by securing them jobs or teaching them the science of navigation. He was an accomplished seaman and Master Mariner who took great pride in his work. For 10 years he captained the M.V. Merco between Cayman, Jamaica and Tampa, Fla. transporting passengers and supplies, including the native thatch rope, the main export of the Islands at that time. He survived hurricanes, sickness and the loneliness of being away from his family for long stretches with the help of his strong belief in God. He never failed to recognise from where his strength came and often reflected 'Thank God, I have never marked a ship's bottom'. Capt. Benson was known throughout the Cayman Islands as an honest, loyal, kind, sincere and Christian man who willingly shared what little he had with others he knew were less fortunate. Capt. Benson O. Ebanks was someone who embodied the true spirit of what we think of as Caymanian by doing whatever he could to improve his country and his fellow man.

Benson O. Ebanks Sr. began his career at sea by going to the Miskito Cays at the age of 16 years on the turtling schooners. At age 17 he went to the United States where over many years he enjoyed a varied and interesting career. He sailed on three- and five-masted schooners, worked on private yachts, tugboats, tankers, lighthouse tenders and dredges, including one that built the Panama Canal. He obtained his British Board of Trade Masters License qualifying him to sail as Captain at age 28 and was known from then on as 'Capt Benson'. Undoubtedly he was a man who helped establish the reputation of superior seamanship that Caymanians enjoyed. He took many younger men under his wing and passed on his knowledge to them, and helped them establish themselves by securing them jobs or teaching them the science of navigation. He was an accomplished seaman and Master Mariner who took great pride in his work. For 10 years he captained the M.V. Merco between Cayman, Jamaica and Tampa, Fla. transporting passengers and supplies, including the native thatch rope, the main export of the Islands at that time. He survived hurricanes, sickness and the loneliness of being away from his family for long stretches with the help of his strong belief in God. He never failed to recognise from where his strength came and often reflected 'Thank God, I have never marked a ship's bottom'. Capt. Benson was known throughout the Cayman Islands as an honest, loyal, kind, sincere and Christian man who willingly shared what little he had with others he knew were less fortunate. Capt. Benson O. Ebanks was someone who embodied the true spirit of what we think of as Caymanian by doing whatever he could to improve his country and his fellow man.