NBM Dive Site Resource
Keith's Barge
Chicago–Indiana offshore waters, Illinois, United States
A large unidentified riveted-steel hopper barge discovered in 2025 and now offered as a deep southern Lake Michigan wreck dive from Hammond Marina.
Save this dive site to your free member profile.
Historic Picture Placeholder
Aquatic life at this dive site
What divers may encounter
Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Site media
Photographs
Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Contributor media
Dive videos
Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.Recent field observations
Diver-reported temperatures
Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.
Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.
Why divers know this place
Highlights
Inverted 130-foot hopper barge with six compartments, wood-faced bottom doors, chains and a pusher-tug notch.
Shipwreck-only module
The wreck
This section appears only on shipwreck records and brings the vessel, its loss, present condition, access, and responsible wreck-diving considerations into one place.
- Vessel type
- Unidentified riveted-steel hopper barge
- Vessel length
- 130 ft
- Wreck orientation
- Inverted
- Present condition
- Six hopper pockets and their wood-faced doors remain visible
- Penetration guidance
- Depth, inverted structure and hopper compartments require conservative planning; any entry is an overhead dive requiring appropriate training
History and significance
Captain Keith discovered the wreck in 2025; its identity and operating history remain unresolved.
Before you arrive
Access notes
The exact site position is not publicly listed. Book through the operator and confirm certification, recent cold-water experience, gas plan, conditions and departure details.
Plan within your training
Conditions and hazards
Technical depth, cold water, changing visibility, boat traffic, entanglement and unstable or unidentified wreck structure.
Independent resource notice
This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.