On Friday 1 September 1983, the jack-up rig Key Biscayne was under tow off Lancelin, Western Australia, by two offshore supply vessels, Lady Sonia and Atlas Van Dieman, bound for Cockburn Sound from a drilling location off Darwin. Gale force winds were causing rough seas and a heavy swell.

At 0644, the tow line to Lady Sonia parted and attempts to pass a new tow line were unsuccessful.

During the day, Key Biscayne settled by the stern and developed a starboard list, so that seas started breaking over the deck. Therefore, all 52 persons on board the rig were evacuated by helicopter, this being accomplished by 1620.

At about 1840, the tow line to Atlas Van Dieman also parted, shortly after which Key Biscayne sank in 41 m of water, in a position 10 miles off Ledge Point. ( GPS location as 31° 09.89 S , 115° 11.81 E approximately 16 km from the coast and 20 km Southwest of Lancelin.)

The absence of "insurance" towing equipment and a marine crew aboard Key Biscayne resulted in the failure to connect a new tow line to Lady Sonia.

The break in the tow line resulted in the loss of directional control over the rig, allowing the rig to wallow in the heavy seas and swell.

Sea water entered the after section of the rig by way of the shale shaker return line, flooding the mud pits and pump room, and later other compartments as the rig settled lower in the water, causing a loss of stability and eventual capsize. (This an except from the Australian Marine Safety Bureau)

FOR A FULL REPORT ON THE KEY BISCAYNE RIG SINKING - ADOBE DOWNLOAD

It is a rumored that a safe is still inside the wreck and has many thousands of dollars of diamonds and other treasures. Nothing like a buried treasure story to stimulate interest!

Each year the Key Biscayne wreck becomes more colorful as sponge growth takes hold. Schools of fish can be found in every small compartment and opening. Large magnificent Samson Fish are often seen circling the wreck. There are excellent photographic opportunities with significant colorful soft corals covering the wreck.

The rig lies upside down in sand. The maximum depth is 42 m however this tends to be in one small area where water movement has scooped out the bottom from surge. The top of the wreck is 26 m so computers tend to be a must. It is suited to a decompression dive and for those with adequate training and experience this will be permitted. The rig is much like a table with the topside flat and un-interesting. Much of the wreckage is found beneath or surrounding the rig. The leg structures are a main focal point outside the rigs super structure. Crayfish are abundant including Jewfish and snapper.

This dive is however definitely ”only" for divers with Advanced certification having significant experience in deeper diving or divers with Deep Diver or Technical training.

WHERE: We meet at the main Commercial Jetty at Lancelin township at 8.00 am sharp. Lancelin is 140 kilometers North of Perth approximately 1 and half hours Drive.

FORMAT: 30 minute boat trip to dive site with a 2 hour surface interval. Two dives or One only decompression dive. (Conditions apply to decompression dives - Divers must have appropriate ceompression diving certification otherwise all dives are to be conducted with no decompression limits. Staff will be monitoring computers..

 

 

Two Dives and Charter fees

Divers need to supply lunch and all cylinders. Nitrox mixtures can be arranged through the shop however, you will need to organize these at least 3 day prior to departure. We return back to Lancelin at approximately 2.00pm

 

 

Divers are required to produce :

• Dive computer
• Log book with recent deep dives prior to booking
• Proof of a minimum Advanced certification or the certification to the level they wish to dive ie decompression or rebreather. Technical/ Decompression are lintied to a 45 mnute run time and dive plans to be submitted for approval prior to dive.

Diving frontiers reserves the right to refuse an diver who they feel is not possess the necessary experience or training to safely conduct this dive.