Kittiwake Sinking off of Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Kittiwake Sinks Off Seven Mile Beach! After seven years of dedicated effort and planning, the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, in collaboration with the Ministry and Department of Tourism, successfully laid the former submarine rescue ship in its final resting place off the Country's famous Seven Mile Beach where it will provide both a snorkeling and dive attraction.
Ex-crew member, Jon Glatstein, a Signalman Petty officer 2nd Class who served on the ship when she was in active service was at the site to watch the sinking take place. "This is a bittersweet experience" he said, "but I am happy she has ended up as a dive attraction in a beautiful location where she will fascinate and be a pleasure to divers for many years to come."
On Monday, January 3, 2011, 60 Government dignitaries, sponsors, media, and project supporters got up close and personal with the Kittiwake during an hour-long tour of the vessel, and took part in the dedication ceremony. Later that afternoon, over 300 members of the public took time out of their public holiday to go on a perimeter tour of the vessel, many expressing their excitement and new-found appreciation for the ship.
The Department of Environment and the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service's Marine Unit were present during the event, securing the perimeter around the vessel and observing the sinking, which took place in a designated Marine Park. Over 30 boats filled with excited onlookers watched the last dramatic 60 seconds, as the ship's stern filled quickly with water and she disappeared beneath the surface. The vessel became fully submerged at 2:37 p.m. and sank towards the ocean floor, where she rested perfectly into position, thanks to the seamless planning and management by the project crew and their affiliates.
Project Manager, Nancy Easterbrook of Divetech said, "I jumped in the water as soon as she was under, and sure enough, she was sitting upright and exactly where she was supposed to be; A perfect beginning."
Over 10,000 online viewers around the world watched via live-stream on the official Kittiwake website, while onlookers -- including students from Grace Christian Academy and Cayman Prep Schools - watched from a variety of viewing points along the coast.
News of the sinking quickly spread worldwide as US cable news channel CNN, highlighted the historic event on their American Morning show to viewers throughout the Unites States. The story was also picked up by CBS News, NBC's TODAY show, the Associated Press, the Washington Post online and a host of other print and broadcast media across the USA, Europe and Canada.
"I'm excited that the foreign media has taken such great interest in this historic event, said Shomari Scott, Director (Acting) of the Department of Tourism. He added that, "the sinking of the Kittiwake has been much anticipated and further enhances our world renowned dive product in the Cayman Islands by adding an even greater diversity to the fascinating sites we currently have. Sharing this with the rest of the world is now our main focus and we are delighted that bookings from divers wanting to be among the first to dive her are already pouring in."
Once the final safety checks are completed the ex-USS Kittiwake dive site, located just off the western coast of Grand Cayman, will be open for divers to explore. To view photos and video of the Kittiwake, and for more information on how to book a dive, visit the official Kittiwake website at www.kittiwakecayman.com
The Cayman Islands Tourism Association is the organization that manages and administers the Underwater Shipwreck Attraction of the Kittiwake.
