MV Captain Keith Tibbetts

The wreck of the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts is located on the northwest side of the Brac, and is also accessible by boat from Little Cayman. This 330-foot-long Koni II class frigate was built for the Cuban Navy in 1984 by the Soviet Union. In 1996, the Cayman Islands government bought it for tourism and scuttled it off the coast of Brac. The MV Captain Keith Tibbets was renamed after a local dive operator. nIn 2004, Hurricane Ivan wreaked havoc on the land and tore the Tibbetts in half, scattering a lot of debris. The wreckage appears to have met a dramatic end, rather than a planned scuttling, due to old wiring and parts dispersed by the hurricane.

The turret guns remain in place and provide excellent photographic opportunities. Instead of penetrating the wreck, you should concentrate on the outside. For experienced wreck divers, there are several safe entry points, but proceed with caution and don't attempt penetration without the proper equipment and experience. Although the wreck has only been underwater for 20 years, the sea life has established itself. Just off the bow, you can see coral growth on the reef wall, and there's a friendly resident goliath grouper. The months of March and April are the busiest for visitors. It can get quite wet between May and November. Water temperatures range from 76 to 82 F (24 to 27 C) all year. For most divers, a 3mm to 5mm wetsuit should suffice.

Location: northwest side of Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands