Diving on the USS Kittiwake

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 shipwreck site is maturing very well.  The shipwreck 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 built specifically for submarine rescue and was launched on July 10, 1945 and which was sunk in Grand Cayman in January 2011.

This article provides an overview of the dive, some history about the ship and other data regarding the ship and an synopsis of what one can find on the shipwreck.  Review 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 of the ship.

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 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 navigation and radio rooms. The sonar has been removed. 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 also see a large [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.

Below the main deck, 2 decks exist that include the crews quarter, medic/hospital station, engine and propulsion rooms,[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, every space on the ship was utilized when the boat was in service.

Make sure to plan your dive well. One approach would be to begin at the stern prior to entering into the vessel 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 Scuba Divers that plan on penetrating the shipwreck, after you leave the stern make your way to the top of the ship and go into  the main funnel which is on on the Bridge Deck.  Should you not intend on entering the wreck you can 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] 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 shipwreck.  You can exit into the ship on several of the decks including 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 can see the Engineering emblem in the Motor Room section.  This section can be accessed easily  and can be a good location for a especially good underwater photo close to the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]".  The sediment can be heavy here so you should move slowly to prevent stirring up the sediment.  For advanced divers you may also check out shaft alley as well as the front hold sections of the ship.  For others you may check out the various compartments on the first platform and after that begin going  up deck by deck 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 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 reviews of other shipwrecks.