The retired submarine rescue vessel
USS Kittiwake will be sunk on Sunday, 5 December off Seven Mile Beach in the
vicinity of the West Bay dock.
The seven-year project, led by the
Cayman Islands Tourism Association, is set to give a real filip to the diving
and tourism industry when it becomes an artificial reef available to divers and
snorkelers alike.
The ship’s final journey starts on
Thursday, 18 November as it travels from the shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia. The
Kittiwake is scheduled to arrive at Cayman on Monday, 29 November.
There has been worldwide interest
in the event, with journalists joined by TV crews including the popular show
Mega Movers, which is tracking the journey of the vessel. There will be
ex-crewmen, people who have worked on the project and people from all around
the globe in attendance.
The Kittiwake was built in 1945 and
following its commission in 1946, it made numerous voyages between the United
States’ east coast, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean in support of
submarines and to conduct rescue missions for the US Navy. It was retired from
service in 1994.
In 2008 the Ministry of Tourism
signed an agreement with the Cayman Islands Tourism Association for the
acquisition of the ship.
Weekend schedule
Following a press conference on
Saturday, 4 December at 10am, an onboard ceremony and dedication takes place by
invitation only from midday to 1pm. There will be unveiling of the plaques of
the founding sponsors and special dedications
The topside viewing is open to the
public from 1.30-4.30pm on 4 December.
The main event – the sinking – is
scheduled for Sunday, 5 December at West Bay between 10am and 2pm; after this
the Kittiwake will be closed to the public.
From 6-8pm there will be a cocktail
reception, a silent auction and presentations. There, attendees can bid on
artefacts and art from the Kittiwake, meet ex-crew members and learn about the
history of the project.
The Kittiwake is closed to the
public on Monday, 6 November for inspections, anchor setting, safety checks and
so on. There will be guided tours for dive staff only.
Private tours start at 8am for VIP
and media on Tuesday, 7 December. It’s a red letter day as it is the first time
that this new attraction will be open to the public, from 11am. All timings and
schedules are subject to safety clearance
and weather.
Beginning Wednesday, 24 November,
medallions for staff and divers and wristbands for snorkelers will be available
for purchase from the Cayman Islands Tourism Association.
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