A Deep Dive into Morro Bay's History
Morro Bay Abalone Divers
Morro Bay abalone divers led in the development of commercial diving gear that took them far beyond abalone to deep water oil fields. Their inventions were creative solutions to problems they faced - they learned by doing with themselves as the guinea pigs.
Free Diving
Before 1900 Japanese immigrants did free dives in very light gear to take abalone below the low tide line south of Monterey.
Heavy Gear From Japan
Gennosuke Kodani, working with agents in Japan, imported heavy Japanese gear to allow divers to go deeper and stay down longer with hand air pumps.
Adoption of the Heavy Gear
In 1928 Morro Bay resident and abalone industry promoter Bill Pierce used heavy Japanese gear to fish abalone. At first, he just walked into the surf, but soon moved to using a boat and powered air compressor with a crew of pilot, diver and tender.
Diving Dangers Promoted Innovation
Abalone divers invented ways to reduce danger and increase productivity. They added air regulators; improved visibility; attached a "bailout bottle" of compressed air to make the suit buoyant in an emergency; installed two-way communications.
Hookah Dive Gear
Many abalone divers adopted light gear combined with surface supplied air. Bev Morgan and Ramsey Parks modified a Widolf mask with a demand regulator which allowed them to work solo more safely and cheaply, diving from stationary boats.
Helium-Oxygen Gas
The US Navy pioneered Heliox to replace ordinary air to reduce the threat of nitrogen narcosis. This allowed Dan Wilson to dive to 400 feet in modified heavy gear. Mixed gases enabled divers to work on oil rigs in deep water. Former Morro Bay abalone diver Lad Handleman helped set up Cal Dive to do this work.
The Rat Hat
Former abalone divers Bob Ratcliffe, Bev Morgan and Jim Kirby created revolutionary helmet designs that are the foundation of current dive gear makers like Kirby Morgan.
Atmospheric Dive Suits
Cal Dive/Can Dive alum Phil Nyutten created the Ectosuit that can reach 1,000 feet.
Oceaneering International
In 1969 Cal Dive merged with other companies to form Oceaneering International to provide worldwide deep water services. Lad Handleman was its first President. (NYSE: OII)
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-Morro Bay's abalone divers left a permanent mark on commercial diving. What they started continues to evolve. They will not be forgotten.
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Explore the Hidden History of Morro Bay
The Hidden History Project tells stories of Morro Bay's past, often revealing truths that are right in front of our eyes if we only knew what to look for.
Discover additional interpretive panels with descriptive Hidden History stories of Morro Bay at various locations throughout the city. . This historical marker was erected by Historical Society of Morro Bay and Morro Bay In Bloom. It is in Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo County California