Diving on the USS Kittiwake

This is the top wreck dive in Grand Cayman and one of the best in the Caribbean. The USS Kittiwake which was sunk a little over one year and the dive site is aging very well.  The shipwreck has five decks, is 251.6 ft (76.7 m) in length, 42ft (12.8 m) in beam and about 50 feet high.  The ship was built specifically for submarine rescue and was launched on July 10, 1945 and she was reefed in Grand Cayman on  January 5, 2011.

The following is a description of what to expect on the dive  some history about the ship and information regarding the ship and an overview of what one can find on the shipwreck.  You can see the whole [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery/Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/ photo gallery]  on the website and see the internet blogsite entry for the [http://blog.stevenwsmeltzer.com/dive-site-reviews-and-listings/dive-sites/scuba-diving-grand-cayman-uss-kittiwake-shipwreck/  USS Kittiwake] for supplementary information on the shipwreck along with a history about the ship.

The boat was  reefed In january 2011 off the north end of Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman.

There are 5 decks on the 47 foot tall [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Wcb0w0RopvI USS Kittiwake]. To meet caymanian law regarding reefed ships, a portion of the upper mast was removed. The upper decks accommodate the 2 bridges along with the radio and navigation room. The sonar has been removed from the ship. The Captain and executive officer's quarters are located on the upper decks

The main deck contains the rec room, mess hall, ironing room, small tool workshop and recompression chambers.. You will also see a large [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000nrOSPnFJRtU a-frame structure] on the stern which rescue divers, along with the diving bell which was used to bring back divers to the ship and to then move to the recompression chambers

The crews quarters, the engine room and medical facilities are located below the main deck along with ,[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000QmV9jUuDJyQ  air bank storage] and compressors, as well as the steering gear, shaft, gyro, ammunition lockers, cold storage and barber shop to name a few areas. While there are now a number of  large[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000evHtkg3GaYQ  access holes] in the sides of the ship, every space on the boat was used when the boat was in service.

Make sure to chart your dive well. One approach would be to begin at the stern before entry into the shipwreck to take photographs near the[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000MlfKl.47lgI  "USS Kittiwake" logo] on the stern and in addition get pictures by the screw (propeller) and rudder.  For Divers that intend on entering the wreck, you can then make your way to the top of the ship then enter via the main funnel which is on on the Bridge Deck.  If you do not intend on entering the wreck you may start your investigation of the ship on the main deck just above the Propeller.

The main [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000ndu7PcxF.bM entry through the funnel makes an excellent underwater photograph] .  try silhouetting your dive partner in the shaft  diving down into the shipwreck.  You can exit into the ship on several of the decks including the first platform or in the hold.  The hold does not have any exterior exits and should only be entered by advanced divers.  On the first platform you will see the Engineering emblem in the Motor Room section.  This section can be accessed easily and can be a good location for a especially good underwater photograph close to the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]".  The sediment may be heavy at this point so you need to move slowly to avoid clouding up the water.  For experienced divers you can also explore shaft alley as well as the front hold regions of the shipwreck.  For others you can view the assorted compartments on the first platform and after that begin going  up deck by deck and then finally coming to the Bridge (Pilot House) where you can do you safety stop as it is at about 5 to 6 meters or 15 to 18 feet.

Check out photos of other [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery/Shipwrecks/G0000OtMyTETA74I/ shipwrecks] on  http://www.stevenwsmeltzer.com or visit  his [http://blog.stevenwsmeltzer.com/dive-site-reviews-and-listings/dive-sites/scuba-diving-grand-cayman-uss-kittiwake-shipwreck/ blog] for reviews of other wrecks.