USS Kittiwake dive

This is a great shipwreck dive in grand cayman and one of the best in the caribbean  The USS Kittiwake has been on the reef for a about 18 months ago and the dive site is aging well.  The ship has five decks, is a little over76 meters in length amd 12 meters  in beam and around 50 feet high.  The ship was designated specifically for submarine rescue and was launched on July 10, 1945 and she was reefed in Grand Cayman in January 2011.

This article provides a description of what to expect on the dive  some history and information concerning the shipwreck and an synopsis of what you will see on the shipwreck.  Plese see the entire [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery/Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/ photo gallery]  on the website and see the internet blogsite article for the [http://blog.stevenwsmeltzer.com/dive-site-reviews-and-listings/dive-sites/scuba-diving-grand-cayman-uss-kittiwake-shipwreck/  USS Kittiwake] for more information on the shipwreck and a history of the ship.

What you will find on the Dive:

The ship was  sunk In january 2011 off the west side of the island at the end of Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman.

There are five decks on the [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Wcb0w0RopvI USS Kittiwake]. A portion of the upper part of the ship was removed to meet cayman requirements The are two bridges on the upper decks along with the radio and navigation room. The sonar was also removed from the ship. The Captain and XO's quarters are also on the upper decks.

On the main deck, from bow to stern, internally you will find 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 where divers would enter to return to the ship from the ocean and then be placed in the chambers for decompression.

Below the main deck, 2 decks exist that include the crews quarter, medic/hospital station, engine and propulsion rooms,[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 the USS Kittiwake has been opened up with large[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000evHtkg3GaYQ  access holes] in the sides of the ship, all of the space on the ship was used when the boat was in service.

Make it a point to plan your dive well. I would recommend heading to the stern before entry into the vessel to take pictures around the[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000MlfKl.47lgI  "USS Kittiwake" logo] on the stern and also get pictures by the propeller.  For Divers that intend on penetrating the shipwreck, you can then make your way to the top of the ship and go into  the main funnel that is on on the Top Deck.  If you do not plan on penetrating the shipwreck you can begin your exploration on the main deck just above the Screw..

The [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000ndu7PcxF.bM funnel entry makes an excellent underwater photograph] and I would suggest taking the photo looking up from the bottom of the funnel to the top of the funnel.  I would suggest silhouetting one of your dive buddies diving down into the shipwreck.  You can then exit the shaft on the first platform or in the cargo hold.  The hold does not have any exterior exits and should only be entered by advanced divers.  When you exit to the first platform you can see the Engineering emblem in the Motor Room section.  This area is easily accessible and can be a good location for a incredibly good underwater photograph near the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]".  The sediment can be substantial here so you should move slowly to prevent clouding up the water.  For advanced divers you may also check out shaft alley as well as the forward hold sections of the shipwreck.  For other divers you can check out a variety of compartments on the first platform and after that start going  up one deck at a time and then finally arriving at 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.

Look at photos of additional [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 specific shipwrecks.