Kirby Morgan ‘Superlite’ 17B Helinaut 350 Gas Reclaim Diving Helmet

Images(5)

Kirby Morgan ‘Superlite’ 17B Helinaut 350 Gas Reclaim Diving Helmet

ManufacturerMade by Gas Services Offshore Ltd.

Datelate 20th Century

Object NameDiving Helmet

MediumMetal, brass, perspex, fibreglass, copper and plastic

ClassificationsNorth Sea Oil and Gas Industries

DimensionsOverall (Height x Width x Depth): 27 × 38.5 × 43cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 2021 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS095643

Keywords

About MeA Kirby Morgan ‘Superlite’ 17B Helinaut 350 gas reclaim diving helmet, of the type used in the North Sea oil and gas industry in the 1980s and 1990s. This helmet was used by Stolt Comex Seaway Ltd., which had Aberdeen headquarters at Howes Road, Bucksburn. It would have been serviced and rotated around diving support vessels and rigs in the North Sea.

The helmet was used as part of the first gas reclaim system, which recycles the exhaled gas from the diver. The gas is cleaned, and carbon dioxide is removed onboard the diving vessel. Oxygen is then added to the gas mixture to be reused. Prior to this the gas was exhausted into the sea which was very expensive. This system was developed by Gas Services Offshore Ltd., a company that was set up in 1981 and based at Westhill, just outside Aberdeen. As part of this system, Gas Services used the Helinaut 350 valve which can be seen on the side of this helmet. It was the original Helinaut valve developed prior to the Helinaut 500, which was more commonly used in the industry.

In the 1990s, Lloyds insurance suggested that diving companies discontinue the use of the 17B as they would no longer be covered by insurance companies, and that the Divex Ultra jewel 601 helmet was the preferred model.