Specially designed disability helmet goes on display at the National Maritime Museum

A specially designed helmet that a disabled woman used to sail across the Atlantic has gone on display at the National Maritime Museum.

In 2020, Natasha Lambert, 24, became the first person to sail across the Atlantic using sip and puff technology to control her boat.

The sailor has quadriplegic athetoid cerebral palsy which affects her limbs and speech.

Natasha spent 18 days, 21 hours and 39 minutes at sea, covering 2,808 miles.

The helmet was designed by Natasha’s father Gary Lambert.

Natasha said: “I am delighted and very proud that my helmet is on display at the National Maritime Museum and really hope my story and the technology my dad developed encourages and inspires others.

“People are often surprised at what I have achieved and having the helmet at the museum will allow people to see how technology is developing to make accessing the marine environment achievable for all.”

Laura Boon, curator at the National Maritime Museum added: “Natasha Lambert has achieved incredible feats that most of us can but dream of – most recently becoming the first person to skipper a boat across the Atlantic using the ‘Sip and puff’ system aged just 23.

“At the National Maritime Museum we are thrilled at welcoming the Sip and puff helmet into our collection and to be able to share Natasha’s story with our visitors.”

The helmet will be on display for six months before being taken back under the care of the Museum’s conservation team.