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Revision 1/17/2012 7:58 AM
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Kittiwake - Cayman Islands


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You can snorkel overhead and see the main decks and topography of the ship plus take a look down the smoke stack that opens up straight down to the bottom of the hull and the engine rooms. There is no end of rooms to explore this wreck, that will soon enough become an artificial reef, enhancing the marine environment with new fishery stock and habitats for marine life.



The Kittiwake is situated in marine park that is protected under law in Cayman, with no touching or taking of anything, no gloves allowed and no fishing allowed on the wreck/Kittiwake site. It requires an entrance fee to visit from a licensed operator, with the fees going towards the ongoing maintenance and protection of the new artificial wreck/reef plus natural reefs. An exception to taking fish is made for culling lion fish, an invasive species to Cayman waters.



Ex-USS Kittiwake ASR 13 - Chanticleer Class Submarine Rescue Ship ASR

Built by: Savannah Machinery and Foundary Co of Savannah, Georgia, USA

  • Keel Laid: 5th January 1945
  • Launched: 10th July 1945
  • Commissioned: 16th July 1945
  • Decommissioned: 30th September 1994
  • Displacement: 2290 TONS
  • Dimensions: 251 Ft Length - 42 Ft Beam - 15 Ft Draft
  • Machinery: Diesel Electric Propulsion - 1 Shaft - 3000 BHP for 15 Kts
  • Complement: 85 Officers and Sailors
Ex-USS Kittiwake:

The ex-USS Kittiwake was a Submarine Rescue vessel (ASR-13). She was part of the 6th Submarine squadron (SUBRON 6) home ported at the Destroyer-Submarine piers in Norfolk, VA.