Isaac Lazarus Tatum was born on Cayman Brac on May 11, 1919. Like so many Caymanian young men of his time, Isaac started his career as a seaman when he was just 16 years old sailing on schooners. During World War II he served in the Merchant Marines, and survived service with convoys attacked by German submarines as well as a shipwreck in France in 1948. Isaac, exhibiting the ambitious and hardworking traits that he carried with him throughout his life, studied navigation in New York and was successful in earning his Mates Licence in 1957. His last ship was owned by National Bulk Carriers where he served as 2nd Mate. In 1959, Isaac moved to Grand Cayman and helped to form Global Seaman's Union, which was registered on June 1, 1959. He served as Assistant Secretary / Treasurer for two years until he was officially voted into that position (which was in fact equal to a President's role). He served in that capacity until the Union was liquidated in 1996. Global Seaman's Union, with its headquarters in George Town, had a membership composed of seamen from every country in the free world. The Union had about 3- 4,000 members and as much as 30-35 ships at times, including National Bulk Carriers, Papachristidis of Canada, Marcona of California, and Trans Ocean of New York, to name just a few. Isaac played a major role in the industry which was the life-line of these Islands in the early years. His job was to represent seamen and seek good wages and working conditions for them. During his 37 years with the Union, he was instrumental in negotiating contracts and significant accomplishments for them such as vacation pay, good wages, overtime, service time shortened, seniority bonus and contract completion bonus. Isaac's work with seamen and his contributions to Caymanian society was not limited to his service with the Union. He taught navigation to Caymanian men in the early 1960's - from Ordinary Seamen to Captains. They would go to New York, Mobile or Jacksonville to sit exams to receive their licences, of which 75% were successful on their first exam sitting. Isaac usually did not charge for this service. Mr. Tatum played a significant role in creating careers for many prominent Caymanians. He was a source of inspiration and a good advisor on a wide range of issues which affected the Cayman Islands, especially politics and world affairs.

Isaac Lazarus Tatum was born on Cayman Brac on May 11, 1919. Like so many Caymanian young men of his time, Isaac started his career as a seaman when he was just 16 years old sailing on schooners. During World War II he served in the Merchant Marines, and survived service with convoys attacked by German submarines as well as a shipwreck in France in 1948. Isaac, exhibiting the ambitious and hardworking traits that he carried with him throughout his life, studied navigation in New York and was successful in earning his Mates Licence in 1957. His last ship was owned by National Bulk Carriers where he served as 2nd Mate. In 1959, Isaac moved to Grand Cayman and helped to form Global Seaman's Union, which was registered on June 1, 1959. He served as Assistant Secretary / Treasurer for two years until he was officially voted into that position (which was in fact equal to a President's role). He served in that capacity until the Union was liquidated in 1996. Global Seaman's Union, with its headquarters in George Town, had a membership composed of seamen from every country in the free world. The Union had about 3- 4,000 members and as much as 30-35 ships at times, including National Bulk Carriers, Papachristidis of Canada, Marcona of California, and Trans Ocean of New York, to name just a few. Isaac played a major role in the industry which was the life-line of these Islands in the early years. His job was to represent seamen and seek good wages and working conditions for them. During his 37 years with the Union, he was instrumental in negotiating contracts and significant accomplishments for them such as vacation pay, good wages, overtime, service time shortened, seniority bonus and contract completion bonus. Isaac's work with seamen and his contributions to Caymanian society was not limited to his service with the Union. He taught navigation to Caymanian men in the early 1960's - from Ordinary Seamen to Captains. They would go to New York, Mobile or Jacksonville to sit exams to receive their licences, of which 75% were successful on their first exam sitting. Isaac usually did not charge for this service. Mr. Tatum played a significant role in creating careers for many prominent Caymanians. He was a source of inspiration and a good advisor on a wide range of issues which affected the Cayman Islands, especially politics and world affairs.