AR-302 - 459 Assault Transport Ship YANCEY - North Carolina

The Yancey, now there's a wreck with some serious history. She was an assault transport, saw action in WWII and Korea, and finished her career as an artificial reef off North Carolina. We love a wreck with a story, and the Yancey tells hers with every bent plate and open cargo hold. Descending onto her immense structure, you feel the sheer scale of the ship – she’s over 450 feet long. Penetration opportunities are everywhere, particularly through the large cargo holds, where sunlight filters down, illuminating schools of baitfish that swirl around the structure. We've seen some hefty sand tiger sharks cruising the deeper sections here, and the swim-throughs around the superstructure are usually home to big gag groupers and sheepshead. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical of North Carolina, but when it’s good, the Yancey truly shines, revealing intricate details of her past. It’s a dive for experienced wreck lovers, comfortable with depths and potentially strong currents, but the rewards are huge.

Location
North Carolina, United States, North America
Coordinates
34.171080, -76.228386
Type
wreck

Wreck History - AR-302 - 459 Assault Transport Ship YANCEY

Year Sunk
1990
Vessel Type
warship
Cause
scuttled
Tonnage
13,910 tons displacement

The USS Yancey (AKA-93) had a long and decorated career that spanned the globe. Commissioned in 1944, this 459-foot Andromeda-class attack cargo ship was built for war. She earned battle stars for her service in the Pacific Theater during World War II, supporting the critical invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Her service didn't end there; she later participated in the historic Operation Highjump expedition to Antarctica, and went on to serve in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War, a testament to her robust design and enduring utility for the U.S. Navy.

After being decommissioned in 1970, the Yancey was destined for one final mission. On December 19, 1990, she was scuttled as the centerpiece of artificial reef AR-302, coming to rest in 160 feet of water off Morehead City. For years, she was a spectacular, intact wreck dive. However, the immense power of Atlantic hurricanes has since taken its toll, breaking the massive ship into several large sections. Today, the Yancey is a sprawling and complex dive site. Advanced divers can explore the massive bow and stern sections, swim through cavernous cargo holds, and witness the incredible density of marine life, including schools of amberjack and the iconic sand tiger sharks that patrol its ghostly remains.

Nearby Dive Sites in North Carolina

Nearest Dive Centres to AR-302 - 459 Assault Transport Ship YANCEY

Marine Life in North Carolina

Home to 42 recorded species including 38 reef fish, 2 clams & mussels, 2 other.

Notable Species