NIMR Dive Bell finds a home at Aqua Tech Dive Center in San Diego
The NIMR Diving Bell was acquired by Aqua
Tech Dive Center in 1992. The Bell was purchased from Coastal School Of
Diving in Oakland California where it had been stored since it was first
purchased at auction. It was placed on Aqua Tech's roof in 1992 and has
since become a San Diego landmark.
NIMR Diving Bell Schematics
Signed photo from Terry Becker
"Chief Sharky"
NIMR Flying Sub Schematics
Terry's wife and son saw the NIMR Bell on the roof of Aqua
Tech as they drove by on I-5 and said they nearly wrecked trying to get
off the ramp. Since then the Becker family has provided us with several items which we are excited to share with you here on our
site.
Around the bell's hatchway there used to be a removable face which was
held in by only 4 bolts allowing cameras quick access for filming wider
angle shots. In the interest of protecting the bell from the elements we
had the removable face fiber glassed over during its last renovation.
The bell has had two separate renovations that I'm aware of and in the
past 5 years has suffered terribly around the hatchway and around the
lower base wood. We have plans to tackle another renovation using marine
flooring material to prevent any future rotting.
