Capt. Marvin Ebanks and James Ebanks are to be honoured for their outstanding contributions to the Cayman Islands dive industry at the prestigious Scuba Diving Hall of Fame awards ceremony which is to be hosted by the Premier, Hon. W. McKeeva Bush on 7th November, 2012.

The two respected local pioneers – who will be acknowledged alongside eight other noteworthy individuals from the international dive community – are being honoured for the invaluable roles they have played in the development of the Cayman Islands most iconic attraction, as well as for shaping the local dive industry into what it is today.

Congratulating the recipients on their nominations the Premier, Hon Mckeeva Bush noted that “These individuals have devoted much of their lives to the diving industry in the Cayman Islands and to ensuring that our magnificent underwater environment is accessible to ever increasing numbers of avid watersports and dive enthusiasts. Their respective contributions have not only assisted in developing some of our most unique and much loved water based attractions, but has also ensured that the Cayman Islands retains its reputation as one of the best diving locations in the world. I am therefore proud to officially add my congratulations to each of the recipients of the Local Honors Awards,” the Premier continued.

Founded in 2000 by the Cayman Islands Ministry of Tourism and the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (ISDHF) come together on an annual basis to recognise those who have dedicated their lives to the positive development of the sport and the industry. Consequently, at the gala event hosted by the Hon. Premier, the two local nominees will join Lesley Leaney, Clive Cussler, Ron Kipp, Kelly Tarlton, Ric and Do Cammick, Armand and JoAnn Zigahn as the 2012 Hall of Fame inductees.

The ISDHF Board has also cited three of the dive industry’s earliest pioneers for induction: Maurize Fenzy (France), who developed the first production Buoyancy Compensator (BC); Edward “Ted” Eldred (Australia), who is credited with inventing Porpoise SCUBA gear; and Max “Gene” Nohl (USA), who invented the first Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA).

Members of the public are encouraged to attend this prestigious event and tickets can be purchased at either the Department of Tourism or Cayman Islands Tourism Offices at a cost of $ 50 each. Tables of 10 also available at a discounted rate of purchase 9 and receive one ticket free!

2012 Local Award Recipients:

Capt. Marvin Ebanks remembers fishing as a boy with his father and stopping by a shallow area in the North Sound to clean their catch. They, and other fishermen, noticed that stingrays would congregate and

eat the fish scraps that were being discarded overboard. In 1951, Capt. Marvin Ebanks returned to Grand Cayman after serving in the Merchant Marines and started a charter company–Capt. Marvin’s Watersports- -running tours on a borrowed sailboat from a dock in West Bay for visitors to see the stingrays. He is now considered one of the founding members of Stingray City.

For 60 plus years, Capt. Marvin’s Watersports has provided countless tourists with an authentic Stingray City experience and has been instrumental in tourism and the watersports industry in the Cayman Islands.

Now, at 96 years of age, he is honoured to be recognised for the legacy he has established in regards to Stingray City and his lifelong commitment to the watersports industry and proud to be an example for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren – as well as many other locals that have been mentored by

him to emulate. James Ebanks learned how to dive at the tender age of 10 with his father, Clinton Ebanks, and brother, Clinton Ebanks Jr. – both of whom are past ISDHF honourees. It was during this time that he realised the ocean, and the dive industry, would become his greatest passions in life.

Through this early acknowledgment of his desired career path, he joined his brother and father in running the family business – formerly known as Scuba Cayman Limited – and did so until 1993. At that time, James acquired his own small craft and started Ebanks Divers, where he has since been providing priceless experiences to visitors of the Cayman Islands. While James no longer dives as frequently as he did in the last 32 years, he still spends his time in the same place he has his entire life – the ocean. To this day, Ebanks Divers creates unforgettable memories with many returning visitors who have now come to consider Mr. Ebanks and his staff “part of the family”.

At 42 years old, Mr. Ebanks is incredibly grateful to be receiving this acknowledgment, which he considers to be a family honour, and notes that he will always cherish this recognition.

For more information the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, please visit the website at www.scubahalloffame.com or contact the Department of Tourism on 949 0623 to purchase tickets.

Pics  James Ebanks and Capt Marvin Ebanks