In a tribute to its pioneering role in the world of deepwater diving, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum has unveiled the Deepwater Diving Monument, a striking bronze statue at the harbor adjacent to the museum this past Saturday. The statue, funded through donations from private donors, is a nod to the area’s significant contributions to deepwater diving technology.
Sculpted by Greg Polutanovich of Simi Valley, the monument showcases a professional diver adorned with the iconic Kirby Morgan Superlite 17 Diving Helmet, which revolutionized diving in 1982. This tribute is not merely an artistic endeavor but a beacon of Santa Barbara’s storied past as the recognized birthplace of deepwater diving technology, a sentiment echoed by diving historians globally.
Santa Barbara’s journey to the forefront of deepwater diving innovation began in the 1960s when the local abalone diving industry made a groundbreaking shift from traditional air diving to deepwater oxy-helium commercial diving. This leap was powered by the development of mixed gas breathing apparatus in Santa Barbara, enabling divers to safely explore previously unreachable depths for offshore exploration.
The technological advances stemming from Santa Barbara not only transformed commercial and military diving but also prompted a rapid dissemination of this knowledge worldwide, forever changing the diving landscape. This is exemplified by the historic 400-foot dive by Hugh ‘Dan’ Wilson in 1962, a monumental event that signaled the start of what is fondly referred to as “The Santa Barbara Helium Rush.”
Wilson’s venture, in secrecy aboard the fishing vessel ‘Rio Janeiro’ from Santa Barbara harbor, saw him plunge over 400 feet off Santa Cruz Island using oxy-helium mixed gas, marking a new era in the application and safety of deepwater diving.
Santa Barbara’s contributions to deepwater diving have led to the city being the cradle of numerous diving companies that have leveraged mixed gas helium technology. Notable companies such as DIVCON and Cal Dive originated from this hub of innovation, and Oceaneering International, once headquartered on Cota Street in the 1970s, remains a significant player in the industry and continues to trade on the New York Stock Exchange.
The unveiling of the Deepwater Diving Monument is not just a celebration of Santa Barbara’s place in the history books but also a recognition of the daring spirit of its people. It stands as a homage to the brave individuals who dived into the unknown and in doing so, laid the groundwork for generations of divers worldwide.
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Kudos to SBCC’s diving program!
https://www.sbcc.edu/marinediving/
The Marine Diving Technology (MDT) program at Santa Barbara City College was established in 1968 by a local abalone diver turned commercial diver, Ramsey Parks. After Dan Wilson made his historic dive in the Santa Barbara Channel to prove that helium mixed with oxygen could be used to bypass nitrogen narcosis allowing for subsea work to be done in deeper settings, the commercial diving industry exploded. As a direct result of this innovation, the need for trained commercial divers became imperative which led to the establishment of the MDT program.
Now, decades later, Santa Barbara City College’s Marine Diving Technologies Program is recognized worldwide for its vocational excellence and industry relevant curriculum.
Students who enroll in the Marine Diving Technology program have the option to either complete the 2 semester Certificate of Achievement program or obtain their Associates of Science degree in Marine Diving Technology by completing an additional 2 semesters of general education courses, drafting classes, biology classes, and the Emergency Medical Technician course. The A.S. degree program was the recipient of the Exemplary Program Award in 1998 from the State of California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.
Rad! Thanks for sharing this!