Sink And Swim

Written by Admin on October 8, 2008 – 9:11 pm -

An old American warship is to be sunk off the Cayman Islands to create an artificial reef.

The USS Kittiwake, 250 feet long and built in 1945, is the first US military vessel to be acquired by a foreign country. It was a submarine rescue ship in the US Navy during World War II and was decommissioned in 1994.

After toxic materials have been removed, the Kittiwake will be submerged next June off Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman so that there is just 15ft of water above it. This will make it accessible to novice divers and snorkellers.

The islands’ Minister of Tourism, Charles Clifford, says the Kittiwake should attract large schools of fish to deserted cabins and halls. “Our seafaring heritage, our strong interest in presenting varied tourism offerings and our belief in preserving the environment all played a major role in the decision to acquire this latest diving attraction,” he said.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

by Andy Moreton

Posted in Luxury Travel |