2021 National Heroes Day Weekend:
Celebrating our Seafaring Heritage
Seafaring is an integral part of the Cayman Islands history, identity, society, economy, and development. For decades, thousands of Caymanians depended on the sea for their livelihood. Through their heroic efforts in boat building, ship building, shipping administration, turtling, and seafaring, these hardy and intrepid Caymanians built the foundation of our islands. We recognise the women who stayed home to ‘hold the fort’ and raised the families while their loved ones were far away. Through challenging times and shifting tides, they all lifted an entire nation towards a better way of life.
The Cayman Islands is indeed “… founded upon the seas” and our motto reminds us of our heritage and our identity. From building sailing vessels at home to fishing out on the high seas hundreds of miles away, from piloting catboats while turtle ranging to sailing the world on merchant ships of all sizes and classes, our seafaring people became renowned worldwide for their skills with attributes of resilience, perseverance, an aptitude for hard work, independence, and a spirit of entrepreneurship that made us who we are today.
2021 National Heroes Day recognises the outstanding contributions made by our seafarers, highlights the inspiring stories of our seafaring heritage, and celebrates the industry that is firmly embedded in the history and culture of the Cayman Islands.
National Heroes Day honours our national heroes, commemorates those who paved our paths of yesterday, and celebrates those who are still serving our community today.
National Heroes Day Celebrations
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event will be celebrated by district groupings to honour those who made outstanding contributions to our seafaring heritage from that district.
These celebrations will take place over the National Heroes Day weekend as follows:
Tune in Live
Given restrictions on gatherings, seats are limited and so we urge the public to join us on CIGTV (YouTube, Logic Channel 20, Flow Channel 106 and C3 Channel 3) or Radio Cayman 89.9FM.
Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Recipients
Saturday, 23 January 2021 at 1pm
Aston Rutty Centre, Cayman Brac
Entertainment and refreshments to follow.
Dress Code: Business attire
Orders, Decorations and Medals to be worn
Bodden Town, North Side and East End Recipients
Sunday, 24 January 2021 at 4pm
Pedro St James, Savannah
Entertainment and refreshments to follow.
Dress Code: Business attire
Orders, Decorations and Medals to be worn
George Town and West Bay Recipients
Featuring the unveiling of busts of three National Heroes and investiture ceremony for the Order of the Cayman Islands.
Monday, 25 January 2021 at 9am
Heroes Square, George Town
*To limit social gathering, there will be neither refreshments nor post-event entertainment at this event.
Dress Code: Business attire
Orders, Decorations and Medals to be worn
The celebrations continue …
While the 2021 National Heroes Day recognises the men and women who made exceptional contributions our seafaring heritage; seafarers not recognised at the National Heroes Day celebrations will be honoured at local, district celebrations happening later in 2021.
More details to be provided in due course.
Have questions or need more information?
Please contact the National Heroes Day Committee on nationalevents@gov.ky or +1 345 244 3612.
The 2021 National Heroes Day Awards for Seafaring Heritage are in the following categories:
Early Pioneer
An individual, alive or deceased, who made an exceptional contribution prior to the 1940s in the areas of ship building, boat building, shipping administration, turtling or seafaring. A commemorative insignia and certificate will be awarded.
Pioneer
An individual, alive or deceased, who made an exceptional contribution from the 1940s-1980s in the areas of ship building, boat building, shipping administration, turtling or seafaring. A commemorative insignia and certificate will be awarded.
Excelled at Sea
An individual alive or deceased, who during their seafaring career advanced in rank to the highest level of their profession, or performed a lifetime (at least 40 years) of service regardless of final rank. A commemorative insignia and certificate will be awarded.
Women in Seafaring
A woman, alive or deceased, who bravely went to sea or made exceptional contributions to our Islands’ Seafaring Heritage. A commemorative insignia and certificate will be awarded.
Memorial Scroll
A deceased person who made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their life as a result of going to sea or serving as a seafarer. This individual will be recognised with a certificate.
Friends of Seafarers
An individual, alive or deceased, or an organisation/company that was instrumental in facilitating and supporting Caymanian seafarers or providing assistance to Caymanians while they were at sea. They may have been based in the Cayman Islands or internationally. They will be recognised with a certificate.