USS Kittiwake dive

This is a great wreck dive in grand cayman and one of the best in the caribbean The USS Kittiwake was reefed a little over one year and the dive site is maturing very well.  The ship has five decks, is a little over76 meters in length amd 12 meters  in beam and approximately 50 feet high.  The vessel was built for submarine rescue and was launched on July 10, 1945 and she was reefed in Grand Cayman on  January 5, 2011.

The following is a description of the dive, some history and other data regarding the vessel and an guide of what you can find on the shipwreck.  Review the entire [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 wreck plus a history of the ship.

What you will find on the Dive:

The ship was  reefed In january 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]. 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. The Captain and XO'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 note the large [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000nrOSPnFJRtU a-frame structure] on the stern that supported submarines and hard hat 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 the USS Kittiwake has been opened up with big[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.

Be sure to chart your dive well. I would recommend heading to the stern prior to entry 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 stern and also get photos by the screw (propeller) and rudder.  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 funnel that is on on the Bridge Deck.  If you do not intend on penetrating the shipwreck you can begin your exploration 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] 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 hold.  The hold does not have any exterior exits and should only be entered by advanced divers.  When you exit to the first platform you can see the Engineering emblem in the Motor Room section.  This area is easily accessible and can be the subject of  a very good underwater photograph close to the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]".  The sediment may be substantial at this point so you should move slowly to prevent stirring up the sediment.  For advanced divers you should also check out shaft alley as well as the front hold regions of the shipwreck.  For others you can explore a variety of compartments on the first platform and then start going  up one deck at a time and then 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.

Check out images 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 specific wrecks.