Australia’s 50 Great Dives index

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KEY BISCAYNE

Lancelin, Western Australia

Type of dive:

Wreck

Snorkelling:

No, too deep!

Scuba:

Deep Diver

Access:

Boat only (60-120 minutes)

Depth:

26 – 42 metres (85-138’)

Visibility:

10 – 30 metres (30-100’)

Water temperature:

18 – 24°C (64-75°F)

Seasonal:

No, can visit anytime

The former jack-up drilling rig, Key Biscayne, lays upside down on a sandy bottom supporting a stunning array of fish life.

In September 1983, while undertow from Darwin to Fremantle for stacking in the Cockburn Sound to await deployment, the Key Biscayne, its tow vessels, Atlas Van Diemen and Lady Sonia, and support vessel, Argus Guard, struck rough weather.

The tow line parted in gale force winds and heavy seas, and Key Biscayne sunk 19 kilometres (12 mi) north west of Ledge Point off Lancelin.

All 52 crew were rescued uninjured by helicopter.

The drilling rig now sits on sand upside down in 42 metres (138’) of water with the top of the wreck in 26 metres (85’).

Key Biscayne had three triangular truss legs 108.8 metres (120 yds) long, four deck mounted cranes, four-level accommodation quarters for 95 crew, and a helipad.

No effort to salvage the wreck was mounted and the bottom is literally covered with junk and debris, including a container, drilling pipes and chain.

The main part of the wreck is an upside-down pyramid with the crew quarters under the triangular main hull. The jack-up arms extend out away from the main body and support a huge population of western rock lobster (crayfish).

The wreck structure also supports colourful sponges, ascidians, bright gorgonian fans; and the invertebrate life just keeps getting better as the wreck ages on the bottom.

Large schools of pelagic fish such as trevally and samson fish circle the wreckage with grey nurse sharks, while Western Australian dhufish, snapper, Port Jackson sharks and many other fish reside amongst the Key Biscayne debris.

Because the location of the Key Biscayne is quite exposed and subject to current, access to the wreck is very limited but certainly well worth the effort.

Special thanks to Luke Nelson of Image Dive.
Copyright © 2024 Steve Sinclair

VESSEL DETAILS
Type:
Non-propelled jack-up drilling rig
Launched:
Singapore 1972
Sank:
1983 (floundered in a storm)
Length:
61.8 metres (203’)
Beam:
51.21 metres (168’)
Displacement:
2695 tons
Speed:
Not applicable (under tow)
Crew:
52
Passengers:
Nil

OTHER GREAT DIVES WHILE YOU ARE THERE
Lancelin Reef, Ledge Point, Cervantes, Jurien Bay and Yanchep Beach.

2026 GREAT AUSTRALIAN DIVE CHALLENGE
Dive Registration
To register this dive for validation, go to: www.50greatdives.com.
NOTE: Entrants should do this dive with one of the following preferred dive services.

DIVE SERVICES

IMAGE DIVE & CHARTERS
Hillarys Boat Harbour
South Side Drive
Hillarys WA 6025
+61 (0) 417 957 870
luke@imagedive.com.au
www.imagedive.com.au