Goodbye America and THANK YOU!

At 2:30pm this afternoon, the tug boat America (Dominion Marine Group) went under way from the port of George Town, Grand Cayman, heading back to Norfolk, USA with the tug all newly provisioned. They took with them the memories of seeing the long project of the Kittiwake through a successful end, being an intrinsic part of her cleaning, towing her to Cayman and assisting in the sinking process.

We wish the tug boat America fair winds and seas for her return journey to Norfolk, and thank them for bringing us the Kittiwake safe and sound.

God Bless America!

Due to Nor’ Wester The Kittiwake Attraction is Currently Closed

We have been advised that the contractors have not been able to complete the moorings and preparatory work to be done at the Kittiwake site. We will advise the public when it is open after the weather clears and work has been completed.

We now plan to open to licensed vessel from 12noon on Saturday. Stand-by for further updates.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Should you have any questions please contact the CITA office at 345-949-8522.

Kittiwake Sinking a Success!

After many years of hard work to make this happen, it is all over, but yet it has only just begun.  The Kittiwake is quite at home at her new home with the Cayman fishes.

Day by day she will transform in to a living coral reef and habitat for hundreds if not thousands of reef fish.

She is sitting upright, with a slight list to her port side- which can be expected with any v-hulled vessel.  The dive team headed down as soon as she hit the bottom and before the dust even settled.  Everything has been reported back in good order and everyone as departed the site and headed back to shore for some celebrations.

Thursday/Friday the wreck is closed to the public and commercial operators.  The final works by the contractors will be completed; installation of 7 boat moorings, re-anchoring the ships 4 anchors to secure the wreck and do final safety inspections before openening the attraction on Saturday to Licensed Cayman Operators.

Sinking Updates

The sinking will now take place on Wednesday.

Sinking of the Kittiwake: January 5th from 10am until....

- The perimeter of the sinking site will be marked. ALL unauthorized boats must stay outside the perimeter.

- Channel 14 on your VHF radio will be reserved for Kittiwake updates to the general public.

- The Kittiwake Reception & Silent Auction will follow the sinking on January 5th and be held at Margaritaville from 6pm - 8pm

- All licensed operators will be invited to have their staff do an orientation the afternoon following the sinking.

- Following the above schedule the first dive will take place on January 7th.

- Medallions are available for purchase at the CITA office. Please let us know how many you wish to purchase in advance!

More info on the dedication service that took place on Monday:

http://www.caymannewsservice.com/

Windy Weather Postpones Sinking by One more Day....

The top side viewing of the Ex-USS Kittiwake took place today including a beautiful dedication ceremony and presentation of the plaque. She remains afloat for another day as windy weather will not permit the ship to sink until Wednesday January 5th God willing.  

©2011 CourtneyPlatt.com 

We will continue with the post sinking reception as planned for Wednesday January 5th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm generously hosted by Margaritaville. Enjoy a cocktail by Seven Fathoms Rum "The Kittiwake Wrecker" which will be served throughout the evening. A silent auction will also be taking place in support of the project with some wonderful artifacts from the ship, the mystery lithograph and much more. Purchase a little piece of history and support the project, which is still in need of funding. Cayman Islands photographer Courtney Platt continues to document the ships preparation and sinking and will have a slide show presentation that evening.

Continue to follow our postings on Facebook and this site and see you Wednesday for the sinking and the post sinking party.