Awake to a New Kittiwake

The Caymans have suffered hurricanes in the past, and their marketing efforts have never been daunted by them. And while in October, hurricane Nate kicked up 10 foot seas, moving Grand Cayman's famed Kittiwake wreck 10 feet (3m) deeper off Seven Mile Beach and giving her a significant port lean, they're saying if offers a whole new, better-than-ever diving experience.

"With all its new angles, the wreck has become an even more interesting place to swim around and navigate," said Jo Mikutowicz, owner of Divetech. "It's still teeming with marine life; schools of horse eyed Jacks, turtles, green moray eels and tons of fish. There are some exits that are now not accessible because they're facing the sand, but there are no new holes that have been created."

"Our Sunset Divers team was pleasantly surprised during the assessment dive, and could not wait to take our visitors back to see the 'new' Kittiwake," said Sunset House's Emma Jean Fisher, also watersports director of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association. "The early reports from our first guests through the Kittiwake are that she feels more like a wreck now, an awesome dive!"

While the Kittiwake today is surely not a sow's ear, great marketing skills ensure that she remains a silk purse.