Burton Elroy Ebanks a Caymanian from West Bay, known to his family as 'El-El', as 'Roy' to other Caymanians, and as 'Burt' to his American friends. His interest in the seafarer industry began as a boy of 14 years old when he helped the masons build the Boatswain Lighthouse in the 1930s to which he was paid two shillings and sixpence per day. His career with the sea began as a young man, when he sailed with his uncle, on a schooner purchased from Thompson Fish Company in Key West, FL to catch turtles to bring to market. Burton loved the sea and credits Captain Freddie Donton Ebanks who taught him navigation. His first opportunity to navigate came when Mr. Crosby Ebanks' schooner 'Gravina', needed a Navigator to go with him to Cuba. Burton made several successful trips. In 1942, at the age of 19, Burton captained schooners 'Jemson' and 'Arbutus' from Cayman to Tampa. In Tampa Captain Warren Bodden helped Burton gain work on the 'St. Cauthbert' owned by The West Indian Fruit Company. One day, while in port, Burton was approached by an agent of the Suwanee Fruit Company. Burton was recruited to bring their newly built ship from Detroit, Michigan to Florida. Burton recalled bringing the vessel through the Great Lakes, into the Illinois River, through the Mississippi River, and finally arriving in Jacksonville, FL. During the Korean War, Burton joined the National Maritime Union and sailed on other ships to help the United States carry supplies overseas. Tankers would load oil from oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and sail abroad. Over Burton's career, he represented Cayman proudly and served during wartime. After serving the industry for 43 years, Burton retired in 1985, returned to his motherland, Grand Cayman, until the Lord called him home on December 26, 2016.

Burton Elroy Ebanks a Caymanian from West Bay, known to his family as 'El-El', as 'Roy' to other Caymanians, and as 'Burt' to his American friends. His interest in the seafarer industry began as a boy of 14 years old when he helped the masons build the Boatswain Lighthouse in the 1930s to which he was paid two shillings and sixpence per day. His career with the sea began as a young man, when he sailed with his uncle, on a schooner purchased from Thompson Fish Company in Key West, FL to catch turtles to bring to market. Burton loved the sea and credits Captain Freddie Donton Ebanks who taught him navigation. His first opportunity to navigate came when Mr. Crosby Ebanks' schooner 'Gravina', needed a Navigator to go with him to Cuba. Burton made several successful trips. In 1942, at the age of 19, Burton captained schooners 'Jemson' and 'Arbutus' from Cayman to Tampa. In Tampa Captain Warren Bodden helped Burton gain work on the 'St. Cauthbert' owned by The West Indian Fruit Company. One day, while in port, Burton was approached by an agent of the Suwanee Fruit Company. Burton was recruited to bring their newly built ship from Detroit, Michigan to Florida. Burton recalled bringing the vessel through the Great Lakes, into the Illinois River, through the Mississippi River, and finally arriving in Jacksonville, FL. During the Korean War, Burton joined the National Maritime Union and sailed on other ships to help the United States carry supplies overseas. Tankers would load oil from oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and sail abroad. Over Burton's career, he represented Cayman proudly and served during wartime. After serving the industry for 43 years, Burton retired in 1985, returned to his motherland, Grand Cayman, until the Lord called him home on December 26, 2016.