Friday
Jul092010

Kittiwake Sinking Postponed...

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, July 9, 2010. The Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) regrets to inform the public of an urgent situation that has arisen which will cause the Kittiwake sinking events scheduled to take place between July 24th - 27th, 2010, to be postponed. 

The CITA has done everything in their power to execute the necessary preparations to have the ship towed, but unfortunately, due to circumstances out of their control, the ship is unable to be towed from the US to Grand Cayman by the necessary date. This delay means that the Official Sinking dates will be moved further out. Based on all of the factors involved, the sinking will take place post hurricane season. The exact dates will be announced as soon as possible. 

The CITA is taking comprehensive measures to mitigate the effects of this inconvenience on media, visiting journalists, guests and ex-crew members who all planned to attend and witness the sinking of the ex-USS Kittiwake in the Cayman Islands. 

When notifying ex-crew member John McGrath, who had been awarded a trip as a prize for the best story in a contest, he responded with the following comment in a lighthearted manner; “This isn’t the first time that the old girl has been late for an assignment! If the US Navy, with all the power and money backing them, has delays, then I can certainly see why the Cayman Islands would have delays!”

The CITA apologizes for any inconvenience that this may cause to all parties involved. As soon as more information is made available, it will be shared. Any further inquires can be made to the CITA by contacting at 345-949-8522 or info@cita.ky.

Thursday
Jul012010

Kittiwake Sinking Week Packages

All packages include Gala dinner ticket, top side viewing, and viewing of the sinking.

Divetech @ Cobalt Coast
5th night free and kids dive at 1/2 price (age 12 and up)
Package includes 7 nights accommodations daily hot breakfast, 5 days of 2-tank boat trips, 2 days of 1-tank boat trips, unlimited shore diving, airport transfers, welcome cocktail. 1-tank morning dive followed by watching the sinking event with lunch on board the boat, an afternoon dive on the Kittiwake including medallion entrance fee and a Kittiwake souvenir t-shirt or cap!
Price: $1899 total per adult and $1105 total per teen (12 and up). All tax and service charges included.
Travel period July 24 - 31; 7 nights. To book contact Nancy, Arie, or Dora at telephone number (345) 946-5656

email: info@cobaltcoast.com
Website: www.cobaltcoast.com

Treasure Island and Divers Down
Seven nights on Seven Mile
Spend seven nights on Seven Mile Beach and experience the sinking of the USS Kittiwake with Treasure Island Resort and Divers Down. Package includes 3 days of two tank boat dives with Divers Down, and dive of the Kittiwake.
Price: US$995 per person (based on double occupancy).
To book contact Divers Down directly at (345) 945-1611 

email: diversdown@diversdown.net

Sunset House
Seven sunsets at Sunset House
Package includes seven nights accommodations, 6 days of two tank boat diving, unlimited shore diving, daily breakfast, transfers between airport and hotel, welcome drink, welcome gift, and dive the Kittiwake.
Price: $1485.00 per person (based on double occupancy) for Courtyard Room. All tax and service charges included. To book contact Sunset House directly at (800) 854-4767 or (345) 949-7111

email: reservations@sunsethouse.com
Website: www.sunsethouse.com

Sunshine Suites
Seven nights with Sunshine Suites
Package includes daily breakfast, and wireless internet. All rooms have full kitchens (large fridge, stove top, microwave, toaster, all utensils & coffee machine).
Price: US$1071.70 for Deluxe (2 queen beds or 1 King)
US$1114.40 for one bedroom Suite (1 king bed & 1 sleeper sofa)
For additional persons attending all events, please add USD$175 per person.
To book please contact Sunshine Suites directly at  (877) 786-1110

email: sales@sunshinesuites.com
Website: www.Sunshinesuites.com

Compass Point Dive Resort and Ocean Frontiers Ltd.
Kittiwake Sinking Package
Package includes seven nights accommodation at Compass Point Dive Resort, 5 days of East End Two tank morning dives with onsite operators Ocean Frontiers, car rental for the entire stay through Avis.
Price: $1,310.00 per person including tax based on double occupancy in a one bedroom condominium. Alternative rates available based on alternative occupancy and room types.
Travel period July 24-July 31. To book contact Lesley at (345) 947 0000 

email: reservations@oceanfrontiers.com
Website: www.oceanfrontiers.com

Eden Rock Diving Centre
Package includes seven nights accommodation in a Studio Suite and continental breakfast. Five days of diving with unlimited shore diving. Dive the Kittiwake, Eden Rock and Devil’s Grotto.
Price: US$1224.00 (based on double occupancy). All tax and service charges are included.
Travel period July 24-July 30. To book contact Paul at (345) 949-7243 

email: edenrockdive@gmail.com
Website: www.edenrockdive.com

Westin Casuarina Resort and Spa
Six nights accommodation which includes tickets to all components of the Kittiwake sinking for two (2) people.
Price: $1,184 USD double occupancy for a six night stay (Not included in the total is the 10% government tax, 10% service charge and $20 USD per day resort fee.)
To book call the reservations line directly at 1-345-945-3800 

email: Reservations@Westin-Cayman.com.

Living the Dream Divers (Dive & Sinking Events Only)
Package includes three regular morning 2 tank dive trips and dive trip to the Kittiwake, and topside viewing of the Kittiwake followed by 1 tank dive. Watch the ship go down with on board BBQ picnic supplied. All dives include tanks, weights, guided dives, fresh towels, complimentary computer use on all dives to maximize bottom time and increase safety, complimentary pick up and drop offs from guest hotel or condo in our air conditioned courtesy bus, light snacks and refreshments, personal service and absolutely no crowds (even for the sinking!!). Gear is available for rental for $25 regulator/BCD combo.
Price: USD $725 per person. To book contact Elizabeth at (345) 526 3483 

email: dive@LTDDivers.com
Website: www.livingthedreamdivers.com

Tuesday
Jun222010

Win a trip to the Cayman Islands!

Share your story/memory of the USS Kittiwake for a chance to win a trip to the Cayman Islands! 

Ex-Crew Members of the USS Kittiwake, the Cayman Islands Tourism Association invites you to enter a contest to win tickets from any Cayman Airways gateway as well as accommodations in Grand Cayman during the Kittiwake Cayman Sinking Events * July 24th - 30th, 2010.

We are soliciting compelling stories from Ex-Crew members related to the USS Kittiwake. Even if you have a certain memory, a funny story or recall something special... we would love to hear all about it! We also request submission of a photo of yourself either now or preferably on the vessel while serving. You can submit your details by filling in the online form: (click here) USS Kittiwake Stories Form

Otherwise send the following information to info@cita.ky. Official Rules and Regulations can be viewed on the online form.

* Name

* Address

* E-mail

* Phone number

* Years you served on the USS Kittiwake

* Story/memory

* Photo (optional)

We would like to publish your story to local and overseas media to share with those following the story of the preserving the USS Kittiwake as an artificial reef in the Cayman Islands.

The deadline for submissions is June 30th 2010 so that we can award a winner as soon as possible! Please share this with other Ex-Crew members and be sure to follow us on:

Facebook.com and Twitter.com

Good luck and thank you for sharing your story with the Cayman Islands.

Saturday
Jun122010

Kittiwake Mystery Lithograph Artist? 

This beautiful line drawing of the former USS Kittiwake in service docked at a pier in Norfolk, will be auctioned during the sinking week event July 22-29th, 2010, in the Cayman Islands.  This drawing was provided by a former crew member. 

There was a lady, rumor had it a captains wife, that used to just sit across from ships at the piers in Norfolk and draw line drawings of various ships.  If anybody wanted one she would make a Lithograph copy and sell it to you. 

Best as we can tell the signature appears to be a Laure S. Smith, ex-crew members thought she was in her forties back then.

Will this talented artist of the former USS Kittiwake, please step forward. 

 

 

Saturday
May292010

Kittiwake Sinking Week Events

The Kittiwake will arrive in the Cayman Islands on July 20th to undergo final preparations before the sinking.

July 21 - Local Press Briefing, Grand Cayman

July 24/Saturday - Dinner, presentations & auction - venue, Grand Cayman TBD, Dress: Island Elegant. Auction of Kittiwake artifact & tickets to be the 1st one to Scuba dive/snorkel/sub on the Caribbean's newest shipwreck, Presentations about the Ship and highlights from Ex-Crew Members

July 26/Monday - Topside viewing of the Kittiwake - open to public 9am - 2pm
Closed 2 - 4pm for setup
Onboard The Kittiwake - Official Ceremony & Dedication 4 - 5pm (invitation only)
Unveiling of the plaques (Founding Sponsors & Special Dedications)

July 27/Tuesday - Ship Wreck Sinking event - 10am - 2pm
After sinking - Kittiwake closed to public
Cocktail reception: TBD

July 28/Wednesday Kittiwake Closed to public
(Inspections, anchor setting, safety checks, moorings, etc.)
Guided tours for dive staff only/orientation dives 10am-4pm (pre-scheduled groups)

July 29/Thursday - 8am - 11am Kittiwake Private tours (via submarine and dive/snorkel boats) for VIP/ Cayman Islands Government officials media, first divers/snorkelers, etc.


11am Open to public. Stay tuned to with your favorite Cayman dive operator for updates and reservations to watch the event and book the first dives to what will undoubtedly be a spectacular wreck.