A Treasure Chest for Exploration -The historic Ex-USS Kittiwake has been on the ocean floor since it’s sinking in January of 2011. In service from 1945 to 1994, the ship’s most memorable duty was the diligent recovery of the Challenger Space Shuttle. Over the years, the underwater wreck has blossomed into a beautiful and dynamic environment for marine life. It has since become a sought-after site for divers of every skill level as well as snorkelers to explore as it is less than 50 feet below the surface and easily accessible. Divers can explore this 251-foot vessel and its five decks, overflowing with a rainbow of rare sponges, goliath groupers, squirrelfish and urchins. Here, you will find more than 50 species of coral and more than 500 species of fish! Keep an eye out for garden eels, stingrays, arrowhead crabs, barracuda, and even sea turtles. You can even swim through the ship to see the remnants of its original gear and equipment.
History of the USS Kittiwake (ASR-13)
This historic vessel was first launched in the year 1945. Crafted in Savannah, Georgia, the USS Kittiwake made journeys all over the world during her first fifty years. Kittiwake was decommissioned on 30 September 1994 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on the same day. Her title was transferred in November 2008 for an undisclosed amount to the government of the Cayman Islands for the purpose of using Kittiwake to form a new artificial reef. Originally intended to be sunk in June 2009, she was finally sunk off Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, on 5 January 2011 in Marine Park. The wreck has since become one of the most popular dive and snorkel sites in Grand Cayman, with its moorings often in constant daily use by local dive operators.