Santa Barbara Museum Unveils Deepwater Diving Monument

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum has unveiled the Deepwater Diving Monument, honoring the city’s pivotal role in the evolution of deepwater diving. The monument features a diver wearing the Kirby Morgan Superlite 17 helmet, a symbol of Santa Barbara's impact on commercial diving technology. The city’s transition to deepwater oxy-helium diving in the 1960s, highlighted by Hugh 'Dan' Wilson’s groundbreaking 400-foot dive, marked the beginning of significant advancements in the field. Santa Barbara subsequently became a global center for diving innovation, with local companies and the development of industry-standard equipment solidifying its influence. The monument aims to educate the public about the region's contributions to commercial diving and its broader societal significance.