New page: This is an amazing wreck dive in Grand Cayman and among the best in the caribbean The USS Kittiwake was reefed a little over one year and the site is maturing very well. The shipwreck ha...
New page
This is an amazing wreck dive in Grand Cayman and among the best in the caribbean The USS Kittiwake was reefed a little over one year and the site is maturing very well. The shipwreck has 5 decks, is a little over 76 meters in length amd 12 meters in beam and about 50 feet high. The vessel was designated for submarine rescue and was christened on July 10, 1945 and was sunk in Grand Cayman on January 5, 2011.
This article provides an overview of what to expect on the dive some history and other information regarding the vessel and an overview of what you will see on the wreck. Review the complete photo gallery on the [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I00008WJ4bxAlmsI website] and see the internet blogsite entry for the [http://blog.stevenwsmeltzer.com/ USS Kittiwake] for supplementary information on the wreck and a history of the ship.
The Dive:
The boat was sunk January 5, 2011 off the north end of Grand Cayman's famous seven mile beach.
There are 5 decks on the 47 foot tall USS Kittiwake. To meet Caymanian law regarding reefed ships, a pieceof the upper mast was removed. The upper decks accommodatethe 2 bridges along with the radio and navigation room. The has also been removed from the ship. 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 rec room, mess hall, ironing room, small tool workshop and recompression chambers.. You will see an [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000QxHHxNkavas a-frame structure] on the stern which supported submarines and hard hat divers, along with the diving bell where scuba diverswould go intoto returnto the ship and then go into the chambers for decompression.
The two decks below the main deck includethe crews quarter, medic/hospital station, engine and propulsion rooms,[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000QmV9jUuDJyQ air bank storage], in addition to ammunition lockers, cold storage, barber shop and other areas. While the USS Kittiwake has been opened up with big [{http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000evHtkg3GaYQ|http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000KQPhZYXLVtg|http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000ZY3JfxY_0vc|http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000ox_7aR0xf.I access holes] in the sides of the ship, all of the space on the vessel was utilized when she was in service.
Be sure to lay out your dive adequately. The best approach would be to begin at the stern before entering into the shipwreck to get photographs 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 plan on entering the wreck, after you leave the stern make your way to the top of the ship and enter via the funnel which is on on the Bridge Deck. Should you not plan on entering the shipwreck you can begin your investigation of the ship on the main deckjust abovethe Propeller.
The [http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000ndu7PcxF.bM entry through the funnel can be a goodlocation for underwater photography] andI would suggest taking the photo looking up from the bottom of the funnel to the top of the funnel. I 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 hold. The hold should only be entered by advanced divers. When you exit to the first platform you will see the Engineering emblem in the Motor Room section. This section can be easily accessed and makes for a very good underwater photo near the "[http://stevenwsmeltzer.com/gallery-image/USS-Kittiwake-Grand-Cayman/G0000JtpXOPWAQac/I0000Y0UeUwX5JJc Engineering Mural]". The sediment can be heavy here so you need to move slowly to prevent stirring up the sediment. For advanced wreck divers you may also check out shaft alley as well as the forward hold regions of the shipwreck. For others you may check out a variety of compartments on the first platform and then begin making your way up deck by deck until finally coming to the Bridge (Pilot House) where you can do your safety stop as it is at about 5 to 6 meters or 15 to 18 feet.
Review photographs of the USS Kittiwake and 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 evaluations of other wrecks.