Scuba Diving Grand Cayman - USS Kittiwake

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 site is maturing well.  The shipwreck has five decks, is a little over76 meters in length amd 12 meters  in beam and around 50 feet high.  The ship was designated for submarine rescue and was launched on July 10, 1945 and was sunk in Grand Cayman in January 2011.

The following is a description of the dive,  a little history about the ship and other information about the shipwreck and an overview of what you will see on the wreck.  Review 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 supplementary data on the shipwreck and a history of the ship.

What you will find on the Dive:

The vessel was  reefed January 5, 2011 off the north 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]. 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 has also been removed. The Captain and executive officer's quarters are located 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 which supported submarines and hard hat divers, as well as the diving bell which was used to retun divers to the ship and to then move 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, all of the space on the ship was used when she was in service.

Be sure to chart your dive adequately. I would recommend heading to the stern prior to entering into the vessel to get photos around the[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000MlfKl.47lgI  "USS Kittiwake" logo] on the stern and also get photographs by the propeller.  For Divers that intend on penetrating the wreck, 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.  Should you not intend on entering the shipwreck you should begin your investigation of the ship on the main 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 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 see the Engineering emblem in the Motor Room section.  This section can be accessed easily  and makes for a very good underwater photograph near the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]".  The silt can be substantial at this point so you need to move slowly to avoid stirring up the sediment.  For experienced wreck divers you can also explore shaft alley as well as the front hold areas of the shipwreck.  For other divers you can view a variety of areas on the first platform and after that begin going  up one deck at a time and then finally coming to the Bridge (Pilot House) where you can do your safety stop.

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 evaluations of specific shipwrecks.