Cayman Maritime Heritage Foundation
Preserving Cayman’s life at sea
The Cayman Maritime Heritage Foundation works to research, preserve and share the people, vessels, skills, records and stories that have shaped Cayman’s maritime heritage.
About the Foundation
Cayman’s maritime history reaches far beyond any single type of vessel. It includes generations of seafarers, shipbuilders, fishermen, turtlers, traders, working vessels, maritime businesses and families whose lives were shaped by the sea.
The Foundation brings together research, photographs, documents, oral histories, artefacts and community knowledge to help preserve that wider story and make it more accessible to future generations.
What we explore
Research & records
Bringing together photographs, documents, registers, correspondence and other sources to better understand Cayman’s vessels, maritime activities and connections overseas.
People & memories
Recording the experiences of seafarers, boatbuilders, maritime workers and their families, while recognising the importance of first-hand memories and family knowledge.
Vessels & craftsmanship
Documenting Cayman-built vessels and the skills, materials, designs and working practices associated with their construction and use.
Education & publications
Sharing maritime knowledge through publications, exhibitions, talks, digital resources, educational material and community programmes.
Building a maritime archive
A major part of the Foundation’s work is developing an organised record of Cayman’s maritime past through photographs, documents, vessel records, oral histories and other historical material.
Preserving an item means preserving its context as well. Wherever possible, records should identify the people, vessels, locations and events shown, together with dates, provenance, ownership and information about how the material may be used.
The long-term aim is to make suitable parts of this collection easier to discover, research and share while respecting ownership, attribution, privacy and any agreed restrictions.
Have something to share?
A family photograph, letter, ship’s document, logbook, vessel name, newspaper clipping or remembered story may help connect another part of Cayman’s maritime history.
You do not need to know everything about an item before contacting us. Even partial information can help start the research process.
Where possible, include any known names, dates, locations, vessels and information about who created or currently owns the material.
Making an enquiry does not transfer ownership or automatically give permission for material to be published. Ownership, attribution, copying and permission for use will be discussed as part of the contribution process.
Research with us
The Foundation welcomes enquiries from researchers, descendants, historians, students and members of the community investigating Cayman’s maritime past.
When making a research enquiry, include the person, vessel, place, event or subject you are investigating along with any dates, names and sources you already have.
Research assistance will depend on the records available and the time of volunteers or project members.
The Foundation & the Catboat Club
The Cayman Maritime Heritage Foundation and Cayman Catboat Club Association are closely connected but have different areas of focus.
The Catboat Club keeps Cayman’s catboat tradition active through sailing, racing, restoration and practical participation. The Foundation looks across Cayman’s wider maritime heritage, including vessels, seafarers, shipbuilding, historical records, family histories and maritime connections beyond the Islands.
Our board
The Foundation is supported by volunteers and overseen by its board.
Contact the Foundation
For research enquiries, historical contributions, publications, volunteering or other Foundation matters, please contact us through the website.
