For his selfless service, community leadership and unwavering commitment to preserving the Cayman Islands’ seafaring heritage, Mr Denniston Tibbetts has been appointed to be an Officer of the Order of the Cayman Islands (OCI).
The announcement coincides with today’s local commemoration of the International Day of the Seafarer.
Premier the Hon. André Ebanks, who appointed Mr Tibbetts for this honour, presided over a private investiture ceremony on 6 June. As Mr Tibbetts is unwell, Premier presented the insignia, warrant and citation to Mr Tibbetts’ daughters, Ms Denise Tibbetts and Ms Christa Tibbetts-Burgos.
“We are truly grateful for this honour, for the public recognition that it portrays,” Ms Tibbetts said. “I know that if he could say a few words, he would say how deeply honored he is. But helping the less fortunate was his thanks.”
Following the ceremony, Premier noted that as late as the 1950s, Government reports recorded that seafarers – not turtle or rope – was the Cayman Islands’ principal export.
“The sacrifices made by Mr Tibbetts and his fellow seafarers helped build this country,” he said. “And like many of his contemporaries, Mr Tibbetts didn’t sit down once he retired from the sea. He rolled up his sleeves and kept serving his community.”
This service includes Mr Tibbetts’ five decades with the Lions Club of Grand Cayman, including in leadership posts; helping to establish Big Brothers Big Sisters (now known as One-to-One); and supporting the community in numerous other ways, big and small, in keeping with his deeply held values.
But this, perhaps, is Mr Tibbetts’ most important contribution to preserving Caymanian heritage: his long service as President of the Cayman Islands Seafarers Association, Premier acknowledged.
“Mr Tibbetts knows what his fellow seafarers risked in order to provide for family and country,” he said. “Quite rightly, he is passionate about protecting that legacy, to remind us as Caymanians of our rich and proud seafaring heritage.”
The Order of the Cayman Islands is a society of honour established under National Honours and Awards Act (2021 Revision). The Premier is the Chancellor and Principal Companion of the OCI.