Grand Cayman wreck diving - USS Kittiwake

This is the top shipwreck dive in Grand Cayman and one of the top ten in the Caribbean. The USS Kittiwake which was sunk a less than two years ago and the site is aging well.  The shipwreck has five decks, is a little over76 meters in length amd 12 meters  in beam and approximately 50 feet high.  The ship was designated for performing submarine rescues 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 information on the subject of the shipwreck and an guide of what you can find on the wreck.  You can see the entire [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 additional information on the wreck along with a history about the ship.

The Dive:

The ship was  reefed 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]. To meet caymanian requirements for wrecks, a portion of the upper mast was removed. The upper decks accommodate the 2 bridges along with the radio and navigation room. The has also been removed from the ship. The Captain and XO's quarters are located 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 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, in addition to 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 vessel was used while in service.

It is important to lay out your dive adequately. I would recommend heading to the stern prior to entry into the vessel to get photos near 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 photographs by the screw (propeller) and rudder.  For Scuba Divers that plan on entering the wreck, after you leave the stern make your way to the top of the ship then enter via the funnel that is located on the Bridge Deck.  If you do not intend on entering the shipwreck you may begin your investigation of the ship on the deck just above the Screw..

The [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 shipwreck.  You can exit into the ship on several of the decks including the first platform or in the cargo hold.  The hold does not have any exterior exits and should only be entered by advanced divers.  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 especially interesting underwater photograph close to the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]".  The silt may be substantial here so you must move gradually to avoid stirring up the sediment.  For advanced wreck divers you can also look at shaft alley as well as the front hold sections of the shipwreck.  For other divers you can explore the various areas on the first platform and after that start 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.

Check out 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 critiques of other wrecks.