One of the world’s top dive destinations, The Cayman Islands, is preparing for one of the most exciting events in its dive history next month.  The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism has announced that one of Cayman’s most significant dive projects in the last 15 years, the sinking of the ex-USS Kittiwake,  a US Naval Submarine Rescue Ship (ASR-13),  will take place  just off Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach on Tuesday 27th July.  The last time such a significant occurrence was staged was in September 1996 when the Captain Keith Tibbetts, a 330 foot long Russian Brigadier Type II Class frigate, was scuttled on the north shore of Cayman Brac.

The ex-USS Kittiwake has been a seven year project to create a new multi-dimensional attraction for divers and snorkelers visiting the Cayman Islands for its acclaimed underwater marine life.  The 251 foot former submarine rescue vessel was commissioned in 1945, and weighs in a 2290 tons.

The sinking of a vessel such as the USS Kittiwake for the purposes of forming an underwater reef has far greater-reaching benefits other than purely the economic impact of creating another tourism attraction. The preservation of a ship which protected its nation for decades is regarded as a fitting reflection of the Cayman Islands’ long maritime history and sinking the USS Kittiwake will prolong the life for many decades of a historic decommissioned ship that was due to be scrapped.

From an environmental perspective the new Kittiwake shipwreck is creating yet another habitat for marine life in the Cayman Islands. Project manager and Cayman Islands dive mistress Nancy Easterbrook says: “The Kittiwake shipwreck attraction will diversify our product offering and reduce the environmental impact on the country’s most popular dive sites such as Stingray City and other frequented reefs visited by cruise ship traffic and stay-over guests for dive and snorkelling.”

The seven year project has been subject to several delays as new laws and regulations relating to artificial reefing have come into play. Throughout the delicate negotiations, The Cayman Islands Tourist Association (CITA) has ensured that the all necessary precautions have been strictly followed to ensure hazardous materials, paint, lubricants, oils and fuels were removed prior to sinking to ensure there would be no harm to Cayman marine life or waters.

There will be several events in the week leading up to the sinking.  Public topside viewing of the ship will take place on Monday, 26^th July from 9am to 2pm with a dedication ceremony for invited guests on the Kittiwake ship from 4pm - 5pm.  The sinking will occur the following day on Tuesday, July 27th between 10am and 1pm. Spectators will be able to view from a distance. On Wednesday, July 28th the new Cayman Kittiwake Wreck Attraction will be closed for safety inspections and final preparations. The first dive, snorkel and semi-sub trip will take place on the following day,

Thursday, July 29^th, between 9am and 11am. 

For more information about this upcoming underwater shipwreck attraction in the Cayman Islands please visit www.kittiwakecayman.com

For further information on diving in the Cayman Islands please visit www.divecayman.ky