Meet the site
The No. 20 McDermott Derrick Barge was a 122 m, 9,280-ton self-propelled steel barge built in 1968. Singapore-owned and Panama-registered, it broke its moorings during Cyclone Orson in April 1989 and grounded on Eaglehawk Island; salvage was uneconomic, so it was towed, stripped and scuttled.
It now rests against the island's northern shore in a maximum of about 5 m, with huge sections of hull plating, cable and machinery scattered on the seafloor. Hull penetration is discouraged because the structure is unstable, flexes and channels surge. Visibility 5–10 m; needs swell under 1 m.
About the Dampier Archipelago: the archipelago's 42 islands off Dampier and Karratha hold one of the most diverse marine environments in Western Australia, with more than 650 recorded fish species, coral reefs, sponge gardens and seagrass meadows — all set against red Pilbara rock and the world's largest concentration of Aboriginal rock art on the Burrup Peninsula (Murujuga). It is heavily fished and boated by locals but lightly dived, and visiting divers usually go with Pilbara Dive and Tours or a local club. The combination of big tides, turbid inshore water and strong currents means the outer islands generally offer the best visibility and coral, and dive timing is planned around slack water.
Planning notes: Open Water certification is recommended and the site is rated intermediate. Expect to spend most of the dive around 4 m, with a maximum of about 5 m. Access is by boat only, and site selection depends on wind, swell and tide on the day. Currents are significant, so timing around the tide is part of the plan. Best season: April–October (outside cyclone season; best visibility in cooler months). Traffic: moderate (occasional charters/club dives).
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
No. 20 McDermott Barge is recorded as Wreck in Pilbara & Dampier. The listed access is boat (day trip). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is No. 20 McDermott Barge suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book No. 20 McDermott Barge through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Reef fish on steel structure, coral growth, turtles
Location
Scuttled 122 m derrick barge against the northern shore of Eaglehawk Island in the Dampier Archipelago, maximum about 5 m.
Facilities nearby
Dampier boat ramp and Withnell Bay ramp: parking, toilets at Dampier. Air fills, hire and cylinder testing at Pilbara Dive and Tours, Karratha.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
divingwawrecks.comdivingwawrecks.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.