Dive Captain Keith Tibbetts

Famous Ship Wreck of Cayman Brac

Cayman Diving Wrecks
Cayman Diving Wrecks
Definitely, the most popular reason new divers come to Cayman Brac is to dive the famous Russian Destroyer. She was purchased and sunk on a sandy plateau off the northeast end of Cayman Brac September 17, 1996. Jean-Michael Cousteau, a marine biologist and strong advocate for reef protection, was present for the sinking. In fact Cousteau, donning full scuba gear, rode the ship as it slowly sank to its final resting place. Slowly time is changing the wreck. Today she is loaded with corals and sponges. Fish ranging from the small secretary blenny to the goliath grouper live in her dark recesses. She is commonplace for moray eels, scorpion fish, and hawksbill turtles. Often large permits and ocean triggers are seen swimming the blue waters around the site. Even the sand holds a plethora of life; cushion starfish, garden eels, and thorny sea cucumbers to name a few. The location usually has 100’ plus visibility and no current. The stern sits in approximately 60’ and the bow in 85’ making it a shallow wreck dive and a photographer’s dream. Her 5” canons can be seen in magazines the world over.

Truth be told, the M/V Keith Tibbetts is not a Destroyer but a Brigadier Type II Class frigate. 14 of the frigates were built in Nakhodka at the Zelenodolsk Shipyard between 1975 and 1988. NATO’s reporting name for this particular type of anti-submarine vessel is the Kona II. It was built in 1984 for approximately 30 million dollars (US), and before splitting into two sections in 1998 the ship was 330’ and a 42’ wide. Due to a loss of funding in Russia’s overseas programs, the entire crew was repatriated to Russia in 1992, She sat abandon in Cuba until the Cayman Government purchased her for 200 thousand dollars (US). Now she is visited by divers nearly everyday to traverse her hallways and rooms.

Originally named Patrol Vessel 356, the Cayman Government renamed the vessel the Captain Keith Tibbetts in honor of a local Politician and businessman. Many of his achievement include; Merchant Marine in WWII, Justice of the Peace, ship builder, sea captain, over 20 years in politics (noted as one of the most famous and colorful Members of Legislative Assembly), and was the owner of a supermarket, petrol station and shipping agency.

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