It was a particularly beautiful day in Grand Cayman, with just a whisper of cool breeze to displace the peaceful, warm air.

Crowds began gathering from 10am on Wednesday, 5 January, near West Bay Public Beach, with locals and visitors of all ages and backgrounds gazing out toward a flotilla of crafts gathered around a very special grey ship.

And then for hours, not much appeared to be happening. But hidden from those interested observers on shore and on the small crafts was a team of experts setting about final preparations aboard ex-USS Kittiwake. Engineers were filling the specially-prepared hull with water from bright green hoses, readying the vessel for a meticulously-controlled descent.  

And somewhere around 1pm, the vessel began to lower herself, measuredly but markedly, into the bright blue waters of the spectacular Caribbean Sea off the 
shores of Grand Cayman.

Vessels from the Department of Environment took note that all was well; contractors West Indian Marine worked with the staff of Tug America, which had brought Kittiwake to Cayman as a Christmas Day present; and enforcement officials ensured that boats remained outside a safety zone. Divers were eager to get into the water to mark the occasion and at one point a sea turtle popped his head up to check out exactly who - or, what - was moving 
in next door.

The pressure was bound to tell and around 2.15pm the sea inside and outside the Kittiwake equalised; water inexorably rose toward special cut-outs in the hull and the excitement was palpable as the vessel began to descend rapidly. Once the point of no return had been reached, the bow lowered, followed by the stern, as water gushed inside and what was once a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue vessel started becoming a dive attraction and a living, artificial reef, which will add to Cayman’s tourism and environmental research sectors for decades to come.

At 2.37pm crowds cheered and thousands of cameras flashed as Kittiwake made her way underneath the waves to lie, listing ever-so-slightly to her port side, atop a soft and welcoming bed of Caribbean sand. The azure sea was briefly scattered with an audible splash as mini-waves and currents played atop the sparkling waters; finally, as if with a welcoming sigh, the sea gathered back around its newest inhabitant.

All worth it

The Kittiwake project has been eight years in the making, with public and private sector partners working together in the Cayman Islands to negotiate first the release of the ship by the United States Government and finally a tricky passage from her previous home at Norfolk, Virginia. There had been intensely complex paperwork, delays due to last-minute inspections, weather-related postponements and moments of doubt. But for project leader Nancy Easterbrook, it had all been worth it.

 “What a wonderful day. All that planning, all that paperwork... she went down where she was supposed to, is standing upright and she is going to be a wonderful addition to the tourism business. I can’t even start to thank all the people who have helped to make this happen,” said Mrs. Easterbrook at a cocktail reception at Margaritaville on Wednesday evening.

The reception also featured a fund raising silent auction hosted by the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, which has worked in tandem with the Cayman Islands Government to ensure the project came to fruition. MLA Cline Glidden said that as well as the tourism benefits, the teamwork involved was also significant.

 “It is a combination of several years of rigorous research, planning, preparation and I dare say patience of all parties in the face of delays to the originally scheduled launch... or those of us who were fortunate enough to see her go down it was an incredible and unforgettable moment.

Mr. Glidden extended thanks to all who had worked over the holidays plus, over the course of the project, the United States and Cayman Islands governments, the Ministry and Department of Tourism, Cayman Islands Tourism Association, private businesses and the sponsors who had helped make the dream a reality. Amid this collaboration there was, he noted, one person whose drive and determination had been instrumental in what has been described as the biggest addition to Cayman tourism since Stingray City.

“If there is one individual who should be singled out for their efforts it is Mrs. Nancy Easterbrook, the Cayman Islands project manager who has for seven years put in an inordinate amount of time and effort into bringing us to where we are today. Nancy, you have done an excellent job and we proudly and sincerely thank you, Jay and your extended team,” he added, to applause which echoed the splash of that never-to-be-forgotten sinking moment.

 Media from around the world were in attendance at the sinking event, including a TV crew from the popular show Mega Movers, who have tracked the vessel for a special programme to be aired later in 2011.

Diving details

The Kittiwake now rests at the northern end of Seven Mile Beach, on the west or lee side of Grand Cayman at latitude 19 21.714’N and Longitude 081 24.073’W for her bow, just off of the Sand Chute dive site. The bottom is flat and sandy. The Kittiwake will rest 64 feet deep at the bottom and be only 10 feet from the surface, making her ideal for both divers and snorkellers.

 Residents and individuals wishing to dive the site are advised that the shipwreck is a private park and attraction managed by the tourism association and all visitors are required to pay an entry fee. Funds collected will be used for maintenance, safety and management and a portion of the visitor fee will be paid to an environmental contingency fund.  

Scuba diving medallions cost US$10 per visit, a snorkel wristband US$5 and an annual pass CI$25. These are available from the CITA office on West Bay Road. Tour and commercial operators must be licensed by the Cayman Islands Tourism Association and are advised to contact CITA for further details of insurance, safety and other requirements.