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 shipwreck site is aging very 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 was sunk in Grand Cayman on  January 5, 2011.

This article provides a description of what to expect on the dive  some history and information regarding the ship and an guide of what you will find on the shipwreck.  Review the complete [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery/Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/ photo gallery]  on the website 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 more information on the wreck along with a history about the ship.

The Dive site:

The boat was  sunk 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 law regarding reefed ships, 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 from the ship. The Captain and XO's quarters are located on the upper decks

The main deck contains the rec room, mess hall, ironing room, small tool workshop and recompression chambers.. You will see an  [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 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  large[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000evHtkg3GaYQ  access holes] in the sides of the ship, every space on the boat 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 vessel to get photographs near the[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000MlfKl.47lgI  "USS Kittiwake" logo] on the stern and also get photos by the propeller.  For Divers that intend on penetrating the wreck, after you leave the stern make your way to the top of the ship and enter via the funnel that is located on the Top Deck.  If you do not plan on penetrating the wreck you should start your exploration on the main deck just above the Screw..

The main [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000ndu7PcxF.bM entry through the funnel can be a great location for underwater photography] .  try silhouetting your dive partner in the shaft  diving down into the wreck.  You can exit into the ship on several of the decks including the first platform or in the hold.  The hold does not have any exterior exits and should only be entered by advanced divers.  On the first platform you will see the Engineering logo in the Motor Room section.  This area is easily accessible and can be the subject of  a extremely good underwater photo close to 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 avoid clouding up the water.  For advanced wreck divers you may also check out shaft alley and the forward hold sections of the shipwreck.  For others you can explore the assorted compartments on the first platform and then start making your way up one deck at a time 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.

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 other shipwrecks.