What age is Deep Sea Operation Base suitable for?

LEGO typically recommends sets of this size and complexity for builders aged 8 or 9 and up, mainly because of the moving crane mechanism and the number of small parts.

How many minifigures come with the set?

It includes 5 minifigures forming a small diving and research crew.

Do the parts work with other City sets?

Yes, the 286 unique parts in yellow, grey and black match the colour schemes used across many other LEGO® City construction and rescue sets, so they are easy to reuse.

City

Deep Sea Operation Base

Deep Sea Operation Base is a large 2015 LEGO® City set built around a floating research platform. With 907 pieces and 5 minifigures it sits among the bigger City sets of its year. The yellow, dark grey, light grey and black colour scheme gives it the look of a working research vessel rather than a toy.

Set number: 60096
Year: 2015
Pieces: 907
Minifigures: 5
Theme: City
Different parts: 286

What can I build with it?

View the official building instructions at LEGO® ↗

Parts list 286

As BrickLink list (XML)

Import on BrickLink: Wanted → Upload, upload the file (or paste its content), pick a Wanted List and add the parts.

Minifigures 5

Diver, Woman, Black and Red Wetsuit with Gauges, Red Helmet with Mask fig-0097466 pieces × 1
Marine Explorer, Open Red Jacket over Dark Red Sweater, Red Cap, Stubble fig-0097474 pieces × 1
Marine Explorer, Woman, Open Red Jacket over Dark Red Sweater, Dark Orange Hair fig-0097484 pieces × 1
Pilot, Blue Jacket with Zipper and Wings Badge, Dark Blue Cap, Silver Sunglasses fig-0097494 pieces × 1
Diver, Man, Orange Wetsuit, Diving Helmet with Visor, Beard fig-0097505 pieces × 1

Alternative models

Fan models by Rebrickable users that you can build (mostly) from this set’s parts. Instructions are available from the designers.

Rock gig 590 pieces by griefin

View the idea at Rebrickable ↗

What can I build with it?

Description

A floating platform with several build zones

The model centres on a floating base with a crane, a submarine dock and a small helipad attached to it. Building it in separate sections is typical for larger City sets: each zone stands on its own yet still reads as one connected site once finished. Folding crane arms, a small boat and assorted equipment pieces mean several play actions are possible at once, from hauling cargo to sending a diver down to the seabed.

Five minifigures, five different jobs

The 5 minifigures cover the usual roles on a research crew, including a diver, a captain and a scientist, so play can move between the platform, the boat and the water without repeating the same action. Accessories such as diving gear, tools and containers for finds add variety beyond a single vehicle. For children who like building small scenes rather than one stand-alone model, that spread of roles matters more than the piece count alone.

286 unique parts to work with

Out of 907 pieces, 286 are unique parts, a decent range for a set this size, covering hinges, netting and technical detailing on the crane. That variety shows up most clearly when building individual sections, where structural and detail pieces need to line up correctly. The parts list on this page shows exactly which elements are included and in which colour, which is useful if you are hunting for a specific piece or a replacement.

Fitting the base into a bigger City layout

Once built, the Deep Sea Operation Base works well as a display piece, but it also breaks down easily and combines with other City sets. Its yellow, dark grey and light grey base colours match plenty of other construction and rescue vehicles in the range, so the pieces slot into a larger play layout without looking out of place. It suits builders who want a set that keeps working after the initial build, not just one that sits on a shelf.

FAQ

What age is Deep Sea Operation Base suitable for?: LEGO typically recommends sets of this size and complexity for builders aged 8 or 9 and up, mainly because of the moving crane mechanism and the number of small parts.
How many minifigures come with the set?: It includes 5 minifigures forming a small diving and research crew.
Do the parts work with other City sets?: Yes, the 286 unique parts in yellow, grey and black match the colour schemes used across many other LEGO® City construction and rescue sets, so they are easy to reuse.

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