Scuba Diving Grand Cayman - USS Kittiwake

This is a great shipwreck dive in grand cayman and one of the best in the caribbean The USS Kittiwake was reefed a less than two years 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 ship was designated for performing submarine rescues and was launched on July 10, 1945 and she was reefed in Grand Cayman in January 2011.

This article provides an overview of what to expect on the dive  a little history about the ship and other data about the shipwreck and an overview of what you will see on the shipwreck.  Plese see the complete [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery/Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/ photo gallery]  on the website and/or see the blog 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 wreck plus a history about the ship.

The boat was  reefed In january 2011 off the west side of the island at the 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]. A portion of the upper part of the ship was removed to meet cayman requirements 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 has been removed from the ship. The Captain and XO'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 note the 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 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 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 boat was utilized when the boat was in service.

Make it a point to plan your dive well. I would recommend heading to the stern prior to entering into the shipwreck to take pictures near the[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000MlfKl.47lgI  "USS Kittiwake" logo] on the the backof the ship and in addition get pictures by the screw (propeller) and rudder.  For Divers that intend on penetrating the shipwreck, after you leave the stern make your way to the top of the ship and enter via the main funnel that is located on the Bridge Deck.  If you do not intend on entering the shipwreck you may start your exploration on the main deck just above the Propeller.

The main [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000ndu7PcxF.bM funnel entry can be a great location for underwater photography] .  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.  Note the hold deck does not have any exterior exit points and is not recommended for divers that do not have an advanced certification and prior wreck experience.  On the first platform you can see the Engineering emblem in the Motor Room section.  This area is easily accessible and makes for a extremely interesting underwater photo close to the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]".  The sediment may be substantial in this location so you must move slowly to avoid clouding up the water.  For experienced wreck divers you should also look at shaft alley and the forward hold sections of the ship.  For others you can check out the assorted compartments on the first platform and then begin going  up deck by deck and then finally arriving at the Bridge (Pilot House) where you can do your safety stop.

Look at photographs 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 critiques of specific wrecks.