Guest Writer

Just change the channel

When you see a show on TV you don’t like, you change the channel. Similarly, if you don’t like the proposed projects, such as dredging the North Sound for mega yachts or an oil refinery, you can change the channel as well. Since there are funds out there for such projects, why not steer away from such short-sightedness and build something lasting that is eco-friendly and benefits all of Cayman.

Here are a couple of ideas that cost less than dredging and oil refining but create a huge number of jobs, while at the same time increase our spending power and income. The first project is a solar farm using long parabolic reflectors that track the sun’s rays throughout the day to heat fluids for driving turbines that generate electricity. Florida Power & Light is currently unveiling such a project in South Florida. It won’t replace their nuclear reactor but is will generate a nice percentage of clean low cost electricity. Such a project should be owned and operated by government to avoid the need for being motivated by producing profits. The motivation would be to provide Cayman with the cheapest electricity possible. It would not eliminate our need for CUC but would cut down on our electrical costs substantially. CUC would be allowed to follow suit by building their own solar farm if desired so as to be competitive.

The second idea is to turn the channel from the oil refinery show to the ethanol channel where we grow our own sugar cane to produce ethanol to fuel our vehicles. Brazil has run all of their cars and trucks on ethanol for years. It would cut down or eliminate our dependence on the outside world for our energy needs. Oil field capacities peaked about 5 years ago. As oil wells begin to empty, it becomes harder and more expensive to harvest the oil, thus making it more expensive. An oil refinery would not be of much use in the long run.

By reducing our cost of energy through the above two ideas, we would have more money to spend on other things. And as well, the prices of the things we purchase would be less, which would be like getting a pay raise. Cayman’s cost of living would be lessened, which would make it more attractive to visitors. In other words, it would kick start our economy and produce jobs in abundance as the demand for goods and services increases. These types of ideas are what we should be exploring for lifting us up and carrying us into the future. We will always be dependent on outside sources for our food and other necessities, but our basic energy needs can and should be under our control on our island. Nothing is more basic or more important for the prosperity and economic stability we desire.

Of course, the naysayers will say that government should not be involved in such projects. Let me remind you that government provides the fresh water at a reasonable rate, which by the way would be even less expensive if the electricity used to make fresh water was cheaper. Oil is the enemy and we have the means to free ourselves if we concentrate our efforts this way rather than the short-sighted projects we are fighting now. Now is the time to change the channel, not dredge one.

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Suggestions for the enhancement of tourism

We can share a common ground in that the financial and tourism sectors of our economy are absolutely crucial in the continuity of our island nation. There is no question of whether these two sectors of our economy still remain the primary revenue-generating sources of our seriously troubled economy and somewhat uncertain future of our people.

I write with respect to tourism, what many would consider not only an ailing one but one that is seemingly under threat by the inevitable opening of Cuba’s tourism (if I am correct). With some constructive criticism, I dare to say it is of my opinion that our successive governments may not have made every effort in the enhancement of our now mostly monotonous tourism product. It would seem that we are continuing a trend of being dependant on the existing elements of our very basic tourism product and that maybe there is not enough real thinking ‘outside the box’.

If one has to sit and truly consider what the Cayman Islands has to offer to our valuable tourist visitors compared to other tourist destinations, we could not come up with much more than the essentially boring beaches, Stingray City, Turtle Farm, swim with the dolphins, a not so ‘historic-looking’ Pedro St. James, diving/water sports, night life (not so great), Botanic Gardens/Mastic Trail and a list of other basic ‘Things to Do Cayman’. Oh and let’s not forget, a dwindling ‘Safety Factor and Perception’ considered by any potential tourist as well as our already minimal number of return visitors. In my opinion, our successive governments have seemingly not committed to creating a truly ‘touristy’ visual appearance of our islands and have certainly not paid attention to keeping a tourist-conscious and tourist-friendly hospitality. Conclusively, it is somewhat apparent that our successive governments have not been taking very seriously, our overall tourism product, its apparent failing and consequent threat to the economic future of our country.

In light of this tragedy in the making, I would like to offer a few suggestions of concepts which, in my opinion, could be feasible to implement and if done successfully, would no doubt be positive enhancements and great revenue generators. These suggestions are intended to add elements to our tourism sector/product to lend a hand in putting the Cayman Islands back a little higher on the list of choices of tourist destinations and with more popular type attractions. These suggestions are as follows.

Annual Music Festival: I have considered that the concept of an annual music festival such as Jamaica’s Reggae Sun Splash might be useful in attracting larger amounts of tourist who also have outdoor music festivals as their interest. The proposed music festival is intended to offer multi-genres of music by both live bands and DJs from a mix of both local and foreign artists. This annual music festival could be held during the summer months (the low season for tourism) and could be facilitated for a period as long as 8 weeks in giving a broader period of time for tourist to be able to schedule their vacations or trips and have the privilege of enjoying some of this event. This concept of an 8-week period would allow for a greater period of time for our tourism industry to take advantage of the revenues of stay-over tourism during the ‘low’ season potentially generated from this. Perhaps other existing business sectors that could participate in this type of tourism could also take advantage in the benefits. I also believe that new types of business as relates to the music industry or off-shoots of this industry could be introduced and they too could benefit from this potential extension of our tourism.

I do believe that thisidea/concept, if received and implemented, could produce a significant chunk of revenue for our country. Take for example Ibiza (Ebeza), Spain. Ibiza is an Island off the coast of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea with its tourism now largely based on the music industry and popular for its night clubs playing various genres of music, primarily the electronic dance, ambient and chillout genres of music, of which the latter two are very relaxing genres that are well suited for an island setting such as ours, without a doubt. In my opinion, it would be a wasted opportunity not to research this as a prospective tourist attraction and extension of our tourism.

Water Theme Park: As we should all know, many other countries have theme parks of some or many kinds and there are a very large number of theme park enthusiasts from around the world who would make the Cayman Islands a choice of destination for that attraction alone if we had one. With theme parks no doubt being a good source of thrills and amusement – hence the large numbers of visitors they attract – I believe that the addition of a water-based theme park would be a great tourist attraction for Cayman and one that could be operated year-round. My idea would be a theme park similar to that of the Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas or others for that matter. Ours could be one with a very exotic theme, boasting a few totally unique features and rides to set us apart from the rest and intended to make ours a ‘must visit’.

This, in my firmest opinion, would be one more attraction that could be added to draw visitors to the Cayman Islands, hence more tourism revenue and tourist satisfaction. I am all too sure that many local residents would love a theme park to enjoy as well. This theme park could be developed by perhaps a consortium of local business investors and/or foreign investors and could be a ‘win-win’ story for Cayman’s tourism, our tourists and the investors alike. Why not have a look at the feasibilities and make this a reality?

A Pier and Boardwalk (with small shops, restaurants and bars): Primarily with their tourism in mind, there are many countries with seaside tourist destinations which have invested in piers and boardwalks with small shops, restaurants, etc., to complete touristy settings – resulting in continued healthy revenues almost year-round. If this is the case for many of those destinations, then why not Cayman?

The scene and setting of a pier somewhere in an appropriate area on Grand Cayman is yet another great element in the list of hopeful tourist attractions to come. A fairly long cement-based pier with a shaded area at theend as well as another along the pier, complete with guard railings and safety personnel. Needless to say, this could be one more attraction that would aid in the lure and attractiveness of the Cayman Islands as a destination of choice not only for the romantics at heart, but for many others alike. I am all too sure that many local residents would also like to have such a place to enjoy as well. Again, a consortium of local and/or foreign investors could take the prize and pride in developing such.

Nature Parks and More Outdoor Activities: Again, as there are millions of people/potential tourists and residents alike who have outdoor activities dear to heart, it is without a doubt that the development of more outdoor related attractions, such as nature trails for hiking, off-road biking and camping tours, perhaps even a nature park incorporating multiple activities and adventure such as a man-made lake offering various water activities such as kayaking, paddle boats. Perhaps bungee jumping and cable rides through wooded areas could be added. The park could include a section for full camping trips facilitating restrooms, water, electricity, barbeque pits, portable air conditioners for rental and overhead reservoir gravity-assisted showers for a more natural effect and much more. A section set on the outskirts for 4×4 ATV off-roading could also be added for those enthusiasts. Bird-watching tours could also be an additional option, and the list goes on. As a suggestion, this nature park could be adjoined to the existing Mastic Trail or Botanic Gardens or alternatively located in the East End interior lands.

Imagine … all these things could be enjoyed by thousands if not millions annually. We could make this happen if we really cared and tried!

Tourist Appreciation Months – Give something back! Last, but not overlooked is what I consider would be an absolutely unique and one-of-a-kind aspect of real hospitality – the development of a program whereby as the Cayman Islands collectively, for 2 or 3 months of the year, we could show our genuine appreciation to our valuable visitors by means of monthly periods of significantly discounted prices on products and services. Freebies could be offered up by our tourism related businesses and any others for that matter.

As a primary part of this program, perhaps the government and/or a number of tourism industry businesses alike could come together and finance/present one or more events annually for our tourists to enjoy free of charge – perhaps these events could be music concerts by local and other popular Caribbean and international artist. In putting on these events, perhaps this could also serve to invite more of our valued visitors, hence yet more revenue could be gained even at discounted rates/prices during any of these appreciation months. All this combined would portray a unique humbleness and genuine appreciation for our valued visitors who are the source of much of the bread we enjoy. Why not give back just a little?

Can anyone disagree that there are millions of people/tourist around the world (our past and potential visitors) who, when shown to them our appreciation, will only respond by returning and paying even more patronage to a rarely found humble nation who can openly and genuinely show their appreciation for their business? For me this would be highly noble of us.

All these things to ponder and work to make happen – as opportunities and time are two elements that can be unforgiving unless we take advantage and do what we must in continuing to forge and secure our future as a nation!

With all said above, I plead for those who can take these ideas and any others to make all effort to pave a brighter and perhaps more secure future for our forsaken Isles Cayman.

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The Gwen Bush Memorial Scholarship Fund

Reference the Government Information Service Press Release published by CNS, I am offended and indeed insulted at being totally ignored by whomsoever was responsible for organizing the announcement of the above ceremony and I am now further offended by the inaccuracies in the release. I can only say that if this is the standard of GIS accuracy, written by a group or member of a group that one would expect to be erudite, it is regrettable and unacceptable.

To report that the scholarship which has been added to the scholarship secretariat’s registry “is named for Cayman’s primary contact for the Southwell Recruiting Company, which hired seamen for National Bulk Carriers in the mid 1900s” is inaccurate, to say the least.

Let me try to set the record straight on this matter, once and for all.

On the death of my father, the late Albert C. Panton, MBE, JP, I was promptly appointed by National Bulk Carriers Inc. and affiliated Company Universe Tankships, Inc. to represent them in the recruitment, processing and dispatch of Seamen from Grand Cayman. The late Capt. Keith Tibbetts was their appointed agent in Cayman Brac. Prior to my father’s retirement from Government Service, Capt. McPherson Thompson and Mr Ernest Panton were also involved, in exactly what capacity I am not quite sure.

On the Monday morning following my father’s passing, I, along with Miss Gwen, attended the departure of quite a number of Seamen who had been processed to leave on a LACSA flight for assignment in a distant Port. Miss Gwen never missed a single day at work and willingly went, at all hours of the night, to see her boys safely off. In those days, everyone in Government and otherwise willingly jumped to facilitate the more often than not urgent processing of the Seamen. This included the issuing of a Visa Waiver by the Passport office and the necessary Police Clearance Certificate (then called a Police Record), the Medical Examination (God bless Mrs Maudie Seymour), the full co-operation of Mr Norman Bodden and LACSA, and the late Mr Tommy Adam of BWIA. I also cannot forget the inimitable Mr Leighton Christian and others of the Wireless cable office, who saw to it that the ‘calls’ from New York and elsewhere were promptly delivered. Not to mention also the ‘bush telegraph’ system of the day. It was all perfected synergism at its best.

I had returned home from England via the Harwich to Hook van Holland Ferry, then on to Hamburg, Germany where I joined the SS Sprucewoods of National Bulk Carriers, as what is called Supercargo, for the trip to Norfolk (Newport News), Virginia. This was a wonderful and enlightening experience for me as we sailed, in ballast, past the White Cliffs of Dover, into the Atlantic and the almost inevitable North Atlantic Gale. I was all over the ship, keeping watch on the Bridge including the ‘graveyard shift’, and in the engine room watching the Engineers, Oilers, Firemen and Wipers perform. This experience stood me in good stead later as I had experienced life at sea for even a short while and could relate to some of the stories I was later told.

I understand that the late Capt. Dell Bodden was responsible for initially introducing and recommending Cayman Islands Seamen to Mr Daniel K. Ludvig. Of course our seamen were world renowned from the days of the sailing ships and turtling and this reputation was further enhanced by the 300 or so who ‘volunteered’ to join the TRNVR or Trinidad Naval Volunteer Reserve. It has been said, and I believe correctly, that this represented the highest per capita contingent among all Allied Forces in WW II. Undoubtedly their prowess as Seamen was noticed by Mr Ludvig and many others at that stage in their shipping operations shortly after WW2.

Miss Gwen Bush had already been employed by my father and the others and so was singularly qualified when I came on board. She was a fast and accurate touch typist, second only to Mrs Hope Glidden-Borden, of blessed memory. Gwen quickly became my friend. I loved her like a sister and grieved on her passing. She was competent and dedicated to the welfare of ‘her boys’ and deserved being affectionately called the “Mother of the Seamen”.

As for me personally, I have never sought to obtain any particular recognition, praise or commendation for the part I played in what has been termed ‘the Southwell Years’. I have always been content to salute Miss Gwen and sing her praises and I like to tell the story of the young lady bank teller some years ago who, on seeing my name on my cheque, said “Oh, you are Mr Colin Panton, the man who worked for Miss Gwen!” I smiled and said, “Young lady, you have made my day!” Obviously, the fathers and grandfathers would mention and tell their children about Miss Gwen and not me, and I can well understand and accept that.

Maybe it is time to reveal that Gwen was privy to every and all confidences that were attached to the job we were doing. The statute of limitations must surely have expired by now on the infamous “Black List” the existence of which we could not even acknowledge. Another was the occasional arrival on the Island of what I termed an ‘insurance tourist’ with loud shirt and shorts, camera and recorder, to snoop on individuals who had brought suit against the Company for one reason or another, usually medically related. I could tell a few really good jokes about this.

Let me also advise that Pancarib Agencies not only processed and sent men ‘with Southwell’ but were also agents for Bernuth, Lembcke Inc. (Philadelphia), Mathiesen Tankers Inc., Imperial Oil (Esso of Canada) and Papachristidis (Montreal). This presented the opportunity to give ‘another chance’ to the less serious cases on the blacklist. Many of those went on to vindicate themselves admirably and excel in their seafaring careers. Would that the present system could do the same for so many of the young men and women of today who could be given “another chance”.

Let me introduce a little tidbit which could be of interest to some. I believe it happened on two occasions that we had to process and dispatch a number of replacement crew members to Cape Town, South Africa. They had to be sent via London to obtain a special Visa from the South African Embassy, required by ‘coloured’ West Indians, in order to travel on South African Airline to Cape Town or Johannesburg. How times have changed.

I cannot conclude without mentioning the several sad occasions when we had to inform a family that their husband, son or other family member had died, usually accidentally while away at sea. I could not have delivered those messages alone and although Gwen often knew the individuals more closely than I did and so had more reason to grieve and mourn than I did, she was always the emotional brick that I could cling to.

Obviously the Seamen/Seafarers of that era are fast passing on each year. The time will come when they have all passed. Should we not be making an effort to replace them? I am not suggesting necessarily for ocean going jobs but as a maritime island nation, Founded upon the Seas, the opportunity to learn the seafaring skills their forefathers learned and knew so well. In my opinion we should continue to educate and train our young men, and women, in the disciplines of Seamanship and I wonder why our present Cadet Corps, which I understand is doing a good job in their own way, was not designed originally towards being a sea related Cadet Corps.

And let me state clearly that in my opinion the Cayman Islands Seafarers Association hierarchy should not have allowed the award of a scholarship of this nature and relationship to be ostensibly politicised by involving the Government or any other allied entity, as it obviously has. I believe that the Seafarers Association could easily have funded this Scholarship on its own, guaranteeing that the name Gwen Bush would be properly and more effectively memorialized.

Oh well. It sometimes seems that my name happens to be anathema to some, and so be it.

This is a favourite little poem of mine, author unknown.

They were all well known Seamen
and their ranks are growing thin.
Their service should remind us
We may need their likes again.

If we do not show them honour
While here to hear the praise,
Then at least let’s give them homage
at the ending of their days.

RIP Miss Gwen. We all loved you.

I hope that this will prove to enlighten all and sundry of that wonderful period in our history, through my eyes.

Note: "The Bashful Billionaire Tanker Builder" about the late Mr. Daniel K. Ludvig is attached below.

GIS release: Maintaining Our Maritime Heritage
 

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