Grand Cayman wreck diving - USS Kittiwake

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 site is aging well.  The shipwreck has five decks, is 251.6 ft (76.7 m) in length, 42ft (12.8 m) in beam and approximately 50 feet high.  The vessel was built specifically for performing submarine rescues and was launched on July 10, 1945 and was sunk in Grand Cayman on  January 5, 2011.

The following is a description of the dive,  a little history about the ship and information about the ship and an synopsis of what you will find on the shipwreck.  Review the whole [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery/Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/ photo gallery]  on the web site and 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 more information on the wreck along with a history of the ship.

What you will find on the Dive:

The ship was  reefed January 5, 2011 off the north 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]. To meet caymanian law regarding reefed ships, a portion of the upper mast was removed. The are two bridges on the upper decks along with the radio and navigation room. The sonar was also removed. The Captain and executive officer's quarters are also on the upper decks.

The main deck contains 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, 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 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] both vertically and horizontally, all of the space on the ship was used when the boat was in service.

It is important to lay out your dive adequately. I would recommend heading to the stern prior to entry into the shipwreck 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 also get photos by the propeller.  For Scuba Divers that plan on penetrating the shipwreck, you can then make your way to the top of the ship and go into  the main funnel which is located on the Top Deck.  If you do not plan on entering the shipwreck you can begin your investigation of the ship on the deck just above the Screw..

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 wreck.  You can then exit the shaft on 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 can see the Engineering emblem in the Motor Room section.  This section can be accessed easily  and can be the subject of  a especially good underwater photograph close to the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]".  The silt can be heavy here so you must move slowly to prevent clouding up the water.  For experienced wreck divers you should also explore shaft alley as well as the forward hold areas of the ship.  For others you may view the assorted areas on the first platform and after that 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 critiques of other shipwrecks.