About this Unit
USS Kittiwake (ASR-13) was a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Throughout her service, Kittiwake played a vital role in supporting submarine operations, conducting rescue missions, and participating in fleet exercises during the Cold War era. She notably assisted in the recovery of the Challenger Space Shuttle debris in 1986 and took part in various search and recovery missions. After decommissioning in 1994, Kittiwake was intentionally sunk off Grand Cayman in 2011 to serve as an artificial reef and popular dive site.
Historical Facts
•
Commissioning and Purpose: USS Kittiwake (ASR-13) was commissioned on 18 July 1945 as a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue ship, designed to assist distressed submarines and perform rescue operations.
•
Name Origin: The ship was named after the kittiwake, a type of gull, following the US Navy tradition of naming submarine rescue ships after birds.
•
World War II Service: Although commissioned just after World War II ended, Kittiwake was quickly integrated into peacetime submarine support and training operations in the Atlantic Fleet.
•
Thresher Disaster Response: Kittiwake played a key role in the search and recovery efforts following the tragic loss of USS Thresher (SSN-593) in 1963, one of the worst submarine disasters in US Navy history.
•
Space Program Support: The ship supported NASA’s Mercury and Gemini space programs by serving as a recovery vessel for returning astronauts and their capsules in the Atlantic Ocean.
•
Submarine Rescue Training: Kittiwake was a frequent participant in submarine rescue exercises, helping to develop and perfect deep-sea rescue techniques and equipment, including the use of the McCann Rescue Chamber.
•
International Deployments: The vessel took part in joint exercises and goodwill visits to various countries, strengthening ties with allied navies and showcasing American submarine rescue capabilities.
•
Decommissioning: USS Kittiwake was decommissioned in 1994 after nearly 50 years of continuous service to the US Navy.
•
Artificial Reef: In January 2011, the ship was intentionally sunk off Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, to serve as an artificial reef and diving attraction, quickly becoming a popular site for divers worldwide.
•
Storm Incident: In 2017, the wreck was moved by Hurricane Nate, shifting the once-upright ship onto her starboard side, creating a new and dynamic underwater experience for divers.
