Gulf Highlands in Panama City Beach in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Mark I Deep Dive System (DDS)

Man in the Sea Museum

Photographed By Brandon D Cross

1. Mark I Deep Dive System (DDS) Marker

Inscription. This Deep Dive System (DDS) was built in 1968 to provide a surface habit for Saturation Divers working at great depths. Divers are sealed into the habitat and become compressed to the same depth they will be working.

After their bodies have become saturated the divers will move from the surface to the working depth and return in the diving bell commonly called a Personal TransferCapsule. (PTC).

Always maintaining pressure, work continues on a 24 hour schedule with 4 person crew of divers working and resting alternately for 2 or 3 weeks before decompressing to surface pressure.

The Deck Compression Chambers (DDC) are designed to maintain pressure seawater depth equivalent to 1000ft. The DDCs are also equipped with a medical lock for passing food, supplies and small articles in and out.
Donated by The Naval Historical Center

Erected by Man in the Sea Museum and the History of Diving Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1968.

Location. 30° 13.961′ N, 85° 53.608′ W. Marker is in Panama City Beach, Florida, in Bay County. It is in Gulf Highlands. Marker is on

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Panama City Beach Parkway east of Coral Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located in the parking lot of the Man in the Sea Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17314 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach FL 32413, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Decompression Chamber (here, next to this marker); US Navy Sealab Program (a few steps from this marker); U.S. Navy Sealab Program (a few steps from this marker); Trieste II (DSV) (within shouting distance of this marker); Techdiver Submarine (within shouting distance of this marker); Bid-A-Wee Beach Park (approx. 3.4 miles away); Gulf Coast Community College Veterans Memorial (approx. 10.2 miles away); Gideon’s Fish House (approx. 11.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Panama City Beach.

Also see . . .
1. Diving in the U.s. Navy: A Brief History. (Submitted on April 28, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Man in the Sea. Museum. (Submitted on April 28, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed By Brandon D Cross

2. Mark I Deep Dive System (DDS) Marker

Mark I Deep Dive System (DDS) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross

3. Mark I Deep Dive System (DDS)

Scan to watch MK I system in action image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross

4. Scan to watch MK I system in action

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 38 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 28, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.