Diver Dan

For several years I lived alone on "Little Stirrup Cay",

a secluded little island about a mile long and 1/3 of a mile wide in the northwest Berry Islands (map) of the Bahamas (map) about 55 miles south of Freeport, and 55 miles north of Nassau. I lived as caretaker of the island for a friend of mine who owned the island.

When I lived there between 1980 and 1985, I lived in a thatched hut, cooked over a campfire, ate coconuts, lemons, turtlegrass seaweed, and whatever fish, sharks, stingrays, and lobster I could spear,

and basically lived like Robinson Crusoe.

Most of the time I wore a Tarzan loincloth,

and my hair got bleached really blonde

from the sun and salt water.

In 1985, I went back and managed the Out-Island Activities department for Eastern/Admiral Cruise Lines through 1987. I lived on both Little Stirrup Cay, as well as onboard the cruise ship the S.S. Emerald Seas. During this time, I bought six peacocks for the island, and ran a crew of 7 divers and about a dozen Bahamians and Haitians who worked on the island with us. Since I was a PADI diver and an SSI Scuba Instructor, I was known as "Diver Dan".

Some of my underwater friends

Since then, the cruise lines has bought the island and they've renamed it Cocoa Cay. I understand they have also remodeled the island and tried to create an inner harbor - From what I have heard, it has almost caused the island to erode in half. Maybe you've visited it on a cruise on the S.S. Emerald Seas or more recently with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines? If you were a passenger on one of the 200+ cruises I was on from 1985-1987, or if you have recently visited Little Stirrup Cay (Cocoa Cay), please leave a note in my Guestbook or drop me some e-mail to just say "Hi!" and send photos of the island!

History of the S.S. Emerald Seas:

An unusual looking ship at various stages of her career, the Atlantis was originally built in Kearny, NJ in 1944 as the wartime troopship General W.P. Richardson.
She was rebuilt after the war as the American Export Lines' La Guardia, for services from the US to the Mediterranean. She was not very successful, being very expensive to operate.
After further trooping to Korea in the 1950s, and a period as Hawaiian Textron Lines' Leilani, she was sold to American President Lines as the President Roosevelt.
In 1970 she was bought by Chandris Lines who cut her down to two decks above the waterline before completely rebuilding the upper hull and superstructure.
She began cruising out of New York as the Atlantis, but was again found to be too expensive to operate.
In 1972 she was sold to Eastern Steamship Lines as the S.S. Emerald Seas in exchange for their Ariadne, which moved to Chandris Lines to become their Bon Vivant.
Eastern Steamship Lines, became Eastern Cruise Lines, then in 1986 changed names again to Admiral Cruise Line, both times with changes in funnel colors.
Admiral Cruise Line was acquired by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, who disbanded the company and disposed of the older ships, including the Emerald Seas in 1992.
She has since operated as a hotel ship in various ports, including a short spell in Lisbon for their Expo '98 as the Ocean Explorer I.
According to Captain Daniel Zenicazelaya, someone told him that the S.S. Emerald Seas was cemented somewhere in Greece as a hotel, although he was not sure how accurate this information was.
The most recent news of the S.S. Emerald Seas according to Captain Daniel Zenicazelaya from a reliable source (Oct 2004): "The news about the fate of the Emerald Seas is very sad. She was sold to an Indian company for scrap metal. The Indian Engineers who came to Greece could not start the Engine Rooms and they asked for the help of Mr. John Skoularikis (1st Assistant Engineer). Right now she must be on her way to India..."
Here is a page that gives the history of the S.S. Emerald Seas throughout her life.

So where are the Staff and Crew of the SS Emerald Seas today?

Neil Ruzic, previous owner of Little Stirrup Cay and OutIsland Adventures, died of cancer on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 in Michigan City, IN.
Captain Daniel Zenicazelaya, originally from Madrid, Spain is now retired and living in Nassau, Bahamas.
Dan Meyer ("Diver Dan"), former Manager of Little Stirrup Cay and Out-Island Adventures is a happily married and living in Nashville, TN and Hartselle, AL and working as a juggler, sword swallower, fire-eater, and working with an Internet ISP.
Jeff Lyons ("SeaLyon"), Assistant Manager of Little Stirrup Cay and OutIsland Adventures is married with 3 children in Asheville, NC, where he manages a stained-glass company.
Philip Daye Jr. ("Blackbeard the Pirate") lives in Pembroke Pines, FL, and got married on January 3, 2004 to his beautiful wife Shirley.
Jon Foege ("Johnny Spin-hard Drano") lives in South Florida and sells art with his wife Carmen on cruise ships around the world.
Diver Ray Bellarosa lives with his wife and children in New Jersey.
Diver Chris Brown is married and lives in Michigan with his 6 children.
Cruise Director Jody Rapchik and Randy Vaughan are living in Florida with their 11-year old daughter.
At last report, Gil and Peta Seville were working for Costas Cruises in 1989.
Clovis and David Thompson are currently living in Atlanta, GA.
Ken Tronsen left Admiral Cruises in 1988, went back to his airline job, then returned to the cruise industry as Asst. Cruise Director on the MV Stardancer in Alaska and Mexico, and eventually became Cruise Director when Gil Seville left the ship. Ken retired from the airlines in 1991, taught school outside of Chicago, lived in LA from 1995-1996, and finally returned to his hometown of Glen Ellyn, IL
Kristy Peterson Duritsch – worked in the Entertainment Dept. with Frank Dorman. Married with 3 children living in Ohio. A licensed massage therapist and stay-at-home mom who also teaches Health at the local campus of Miami University.
Mo Hubbard was known to be living in Asheville, NC playing piano at Grove Park Inn.
Steel Drum player Bill Bonaparte passed away in 2004.
Jellico has passed away, but his son "Bingie" is a Reggae monster in Canada.
Comedian and Magician Greg Davidson is based out of Atlanta, has written several books and is traveling around the world doing comedy magic and motivational speaking.
Comedian Dale Irvin is also a nationally known comedy speaker and has also written several books on comedy.
Kip King, Chief Mate on Bridge of the Emerald Seas left the Emerald Seas in 1990, retired from cargo ships in 1993, became a Port Everglades pilot, and then re-retired and moved to Montana.
Kathy Rathgaber, who used to be the Staff Captain is now a Pilot in Alaska.
Sue York ("Nurse Susan") is now Sue Dean, married and living in Hawaii with a son - her email is skydean@hotmail.com
Manuel Rivas and Carlos Bouzon are both working for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
Lisa Doran (Purser's Office) is married to Miguel Canda and they live in Miami - her email is Batplmiami@aol.com
Anyone know what has happened to Victoria Alonzo, Mark Yandel, or Bonnie Earl? If so, drop me an e-mail!
Or if you are an ex-crewmember or passenger who might want to take a reunion cruise back to Little Stirrup Cay on another cruise line, let me know and maybe we can all get together on a reunion cruise sometime!
Check out this page with reviews from travel agents and cruise ship passenger on the current "Coco Cay"

Return To Halfdan's Main Home Page