Wreck diving Grand Cayman - USS Kittiwak

This is the top wreck dive in Grand Cayman and one of the top ten in the Caribbean. The USS Kittiwake has been on the reef for 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 about 50 feet high.  The vessel was built for performing submarine rescues and was launched on July 10, 1945 and she was reefed in Grand Cayman on  January 5, 2011.

The following is a description of what to expect on the dive  a little history and other information regarding the ship and an overview of what you will find on the shipwreck.  You can see the complete [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery/Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/ photo gallery]  on the website and see the internet blogsite article 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.

What you will find on the Dive:

The ship was  sunk January 5, 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]. Externally, the crow's nest, mast and large stern a-frame have been cut down and remounted to make her height suitable for Cayman waters. The upper decks accommodate the 2 bridges (both an external and internal bridge to allow operations in heavy seas) along with the navigation and radio rooms. The sonar was also removed. The Captain and executive officer'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 rescue divers, as well as the diving bell that was used to bring back divers to the ship and to then move to the recompression chambers

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 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, every space on the ship was used while in service.

Make it a point to plan your dive well. I would recommend heading to the stern before entering into the vessel to take photographs near the[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000MlfKl.47lgI  "USS Kittiwake" logo] on the stern and in addition get pictures by the propeller.  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 main funnel that is located on the Bridge Deck.  If you do not plan on entering the wreck you can start your investigation of the ship on the main deck just above the Propeller.

The main [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 then exit the shaft on 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 will be able to see the Engineering emblem in the Motor Room section.  This area is easily accessible and makes for a especially good underwater photograph near the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]".  The silt can be heavy in this location so you should move slowly to avoid stirring up the sediment.  For advanced wreck divers you can also look at shaft alley as well as the front hold areas of the ship.  For others you may view a variety of 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.

Look at images 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 other shipwrecks.