Grand Cayman wreck diving - USS Kittiwake

This is the top shipwreck dive in Grand Cayman and one of the top ten in the Caribbean. The USS Kittiwake has been on the reef for a less than two years ago and the site is maturing very well.  The ship has five decks, is 251.6 ft (76.7 m) in length, 42ft (12.8 m) in beam and approximately 50 feet high.  The vessel was built for submarine rescue and was launched on July 10, 1945 and was sunk in Grand Cayman in January 2011.

This article provides an overview of what to expect on the dive  a little history and other data regarding the vessel and an overview of what you will see on the shipwreck.  Plese see the whole [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery/Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/ photo gallery]  on the web site and/or 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 additional information on the wreck and a history of the ship.

The vessel was  sunk January 5, 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]. To meet caymanian requirements for wrecks, a portion of the upper mast was removed. The are two bridges on the upper decks (both an external and internal bridge to allow operations in heavy seas) 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.

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 note the large [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000nrOSPnFJRtU a-frame structure] on the stern which rescue divers, as well as the diving bell where divers would enter to return to the ship from the ocean and then be placed in the chambers for decompression.

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, in addition to ammunition lockers, cold storage, barber shop and other areas. While there are now a number of  large[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000evHtkg3GaYQ  access holes] both vertically and horizontally, every space on the ship was used when the boat was in service.

Be sure to chart your dive adequately. One approach would be to begin at the stern prior to entering into the shipwreck to take photos around 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 photographs by the propeller.  For Scuba Divers that intend on entering the wreck, you can then make your way to the top of the ship and go into  the funnel which is on on the Top Deck.  Should you not plan on entering the wreck you can start your investigation of the ship on the main deck just above the Screw..

The [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000ndu7PcxF.bM entry through the funnel can be a great location for underwater photography] 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 wreck.  You can then exit the shaft on the first platform or in the cargo hold.  The cargo hold should only be entered by experienced advanced divers.  When you exit to the first platform you will see the Engineering logo in the Motor Room section.  This section can be accessed easily and can be the subject of  a very good underwater photo near the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]".  The sediment may be heavy here so you should move slowly to prevent clouding up the water.  For advanced divers you may also explore shaft alley and the forward hold sections of the ship.  For other divers you can check out a variety of areas on the first platform and then start going  up deck by deck until finally coming to the Bridge (Pilot House) where you can do your safety stop.

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 evaluations of specific wrecks.