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 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 vessel was designated specifically for submarine rescue and was launched on July 10, 1945 and she was reefed in Grand Cayman in January 2011.

The following is an overview of the dive, a little history and other information on the subject of the shipwreck and an synopsis of what one can find on the wreck.  You can see the complete [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery/Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/ photo gallery]  on the web site 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 additional data on the shipwreck along with a history about the ship.

The Dive:

The ship 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 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 has been removed from the ship. 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 a number of different rooms or work areas including the recompresson chambers, the rec room and toolshop. You will also see a large [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000nrOSPnFJRtU a-frame structure] on the stern that rescue 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 the steering gear, shaft, gyro, ammunition lockers, cold storage and barber shop to name a few areas. While there are now a number of  big[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000evHtkg3GaYQ  access holes] both vertically and horizontally, all of the space on the vessel was used when she was in service.

Make sure to plan your dive adequately. I would recommend heading to the stern prior to entering into the shipwreck to get pictures around 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 photos 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 funnel which is on on the Bridge Deck.  If you do not intend on penetrating the shipwreck you should 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 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 hold.  The cargo hold should only be entered by experienced advanced divers.  When you exit to the first platform you will be able to 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 close to the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]".  The sediment can be heavy in this location so you must move gradually to prevent clouding up the water.  For advanced wreck divers you can also check out shaft alley as well as the front hold areas of the shipwreck.  For others you can check out a variety of areas on the first platform and then start going  up deck by deck 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.

Review 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.