Wreck diving Grand Cayman - USS Kittiwak

This is a great 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 shipwreck site is aging very well.  The ship 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 designated specifically for performing submarine rescues and was launched on July 10, 1945 and which was sunk in Grand Cayman in January 2011.

This article provides a description of the dive,  some history and information about the vessel and an overview of what you will find on the wreck.  Review the complete [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery/Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/ photo gallery]  on the website and/or 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 additional data on the shipwreck and a history of the ship.

The Dive:

The ship was  reefed In january 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]. A portion of the upper part of the ship was removed to meet cayman requirements The are two bridges on the upper decks along with the navigation and radio rooms. The sonar was also removed from the ship. The Captain and executive officer's quarters are also on the upper decks.

On the main deck, from bow to stern, internally you will find the mess hall, toolshop, recompression chambers and rec room. 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, along with 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 ammunition lockers, cold storage, barber shop and other 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, all of the space on the ship was used when she was in service.

Make sure to lay out your dive adequately. 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 photographs by the propeller.  For Scuba 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 main funnel which is located on the Bridge Deck.  Should you not intend on entering the shipwreck you can begin your investigation of the ship 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] 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 wreck.  You can exit into the ship on several of the decks including 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 logo in the Motor Room section.  This section can be accessed easily and can be the subject of  a very interesting 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 need to move slowly to prevent stirring up the sediment.  For experienced divers you can also look at shaft alley and the front hold sections of the ship.  For others you may check out the various areas on the first platform and then begin going  up deck by deck until finally arriving at 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 photographs 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 critiques of specific shipwrecks.