Key Biscayne rig wreck, Lancelin (deep, protected)
Deep, boat-only wreck protected under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976: the 2,738 t steel jack-up drilling rig Key Biscayne sank on 1 September 1983 in a storm while under tow from Darwin to Fremantle (all 52 crew were airlifted off). She lies upside down on sand about 19 km north-west of Ledge Point and 20 km south-west of Lancelin; the top is at 26 m and the sand at about 41–42 m. Rock lobster cluster on the legs, sponges and gorgonian fans cover the structure, and trevally, samson fish, grey nurse sharks, dhufish and Port Jackson sharks are reported.
Facts
- Region: Western Australia – Ningaloo, Rottnest & the south-west
- Area: Perth coast & Lancelin – temperate
- Depth: 26–42 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: moderate
- Type: wreck
- Coordinates: -31.168758, 115.193259
- Highlights: jack-up rig, rock lobster, sponges, gorgonian, trevally, samson fish, grey nurse sharks, Port Jackson sharks, dhufish, snapper
- Tips: Advanced: at least a certified deep diver, decompression planning and computers are a must; penetration needs proper training. Needs near-zero swell and a long boat ride from Lancelin (Blue Destiny Charters / Perth Scuba). Nothing may be taken. Two published positions differ by about 1.5 km.