Atmospheric diving suits are articulated, anthropomorphic pressure vessels which permit support of offshore operations to 610 meters (2,000 ft) while retaining the operator at a one atmosphere pressure level. By the summer of 1978 fourteen suits were at work for the offshore industry in applications including exploratory drilling support, platform and pipeline inspection. Preliminary work has also been completed to interface these suits with equipment for maintenance of wet trees and manifolds. Locations include Arctic, Alaskan, Australian, Brazilian, North Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean waters. Both walking and thruster powered suits are covered.An outline history of development of such equipment is described indicating the design concepts and resulting capabilities of such systems and suggesting the areas where usage has been most effective and economic. -Data.includes dive and task summaries, dive profiles, and unexpected capabilities and problems. Cost savings from operations are summarized. Also covered is a summary of tasks related to particular applications and the pre-planning and interface-de~ign concepts required to assure mission success.
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