Scuba Diving Grand Cayman - 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 about 18 months ago and the site is aging very well.  The ship has five decks, is 251.6 ft (76.7 m) in length, 42ft (12.8 m) in beam and around 50 feet high.  The vessel was built 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 the dive, a little history about the ship and information on the subject of the vessel and an overview of what you can find on the wreck.  Plese see the entire [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery/Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/ photo gallery]  on the web site 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 data on the shipwreck and a history about the ship.

What you will find on the Dive:

The vessel was  sunk In january 2011 off the north 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 upper decks accommodate the 2 bridges along with the radio and navigation room. The sonar was also removed. The Captain and executive officer's quarters are also 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 that supported submarines and hard hat divers, along with the diving bell which was used to bring back divers to the ship and then 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 ammunition lockers, cold storage, barber shop and other areas. While the USS Kittiwake has been opened up with large[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000evHtkg3GaYQ  access holes] both vertically and horizontally, every space on the vessel was utilized when the boat was in service.

Make it a point to chart your dive well. I would recommend heading to the stern prior to entering into the shipwreck to get photographs near the[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000MlfKl.47lgI  "USS Kittiwake" logo] on the the backof the ship and also get pictures by the screw (propeller) and rudder.  For Divers that intend on penetrating the shipwreck, you can then make your way to the top of the ship and enter via the funnel that is on on the Top Deck.  Should you not intend on penetrating the wreck you should begin your investigation of the ship on the 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] .  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 cargo hold.  The cargo hold should only be entered by experienced advanced divers.  On the first platform you will be able to see the Engineering emblem in the Motor Room section.  This area is easily accessible and can be the subject of  a extremely interesting underwater photograph near the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]".  The sediment can be heavy in this location so you should move gradually to avoid stirring up the sediment.  For advanced wreck divers you can also check out shaft alley and the front hold regions of the ship.  For others you can check out the assorted areas on the first platform and after that start making your way up deck by deck until 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 photographs 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 critiques of other wrecks.