USS Kittiwake dive

This is the top wreck dive in Grand Cayman and one of the best in the Caribbean.  The USS Kittiwake which was sunk a little over one year and the dive site is maturing very well.  The shipwreck 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 performing submarine rescues and was launched on July 10, 1945 and she was reefed in Grand Cayman on  January 5, 2011.

This article provides a description of what to expect on the dive  some history about the ship and other data regarding the vessel and an synopsis of what one can find on the wreck.  You can see the entire [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 data on the wreck along with a history of the ship.

What you will find on the Dive:

The vessel was  sunk In january 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]. 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 was also removed from the ship. The Captain and XO's quarters are located on the upper decks

The main deck contains the mess hall, toolshop, recompression chambers and rec room. You will see an  [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000nrOSPnFJRtU a-frame structure] on the stern that 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, as well as 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] in the sides of the ship, all of the space on the ship was utilized when the boat was in service.

Make sure to chart your dive well. One approach would be to begin at the stern before entering into the ship 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 photographs by the screw (propeller) and rudder.  For Scuba Divers that intend on entering the shipwreck, you can then make your way to the top of the ship then go into  the funnel that is located on the Bridge Deck.  If you do not intend on penetrating the shipwreck you may begin your investigation of the ship on the deck just above the Propeller.

The [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000ndu7PcxF.bM entry through the funnel 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 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 interesting underwater photograph near the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]".  The sediment can be heavy here so you must move slowly to prevent stirring up the sediment.  For experienced divers you can also explore shaft alley and the forward hold regions of the ship.  For others you may check out a variety of compartments on the first platform and then start going  up one deck at a time and then 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 photos 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 evaluations of specific wrecks.