Natasha Lambert's 'sip-and-puff' helmet

This helmet belonged to Natasha Lambert BEM, an intrepid sailor, adventurer and fundraiser.

Born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, a condition that affects her limbs and speech, Natasha sails using specially adapted 'sip-and-puff' technology.

In 2020, Natasha embarked on a 2,808-mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean, controlling the yacht using just her mouth. She also wore boxing gloves while sailing to minimise involuntary hand movements.

In completing her voyage Natasha, aged just 23, became the first person to sail across the Atlantic using the sip-and-puff system.

See the helmet and gloves she used during her history-making voyage in the Sea Things gallery at the National Maritime Museum.

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Natasha’s father Gary developed the specially adapted 'sip-and-puff' system which enables Natasha to skipper the boat.

By 'sipping' in on the straw, held in place by the helmet, the boat is steered right (starboard). By 'puffing' out, the boat is steered left (port).

Natasha is also able to 'trim' (adjust) the sails using the same system. To switch between the sail and steering function, Natasha uses a light-beam switch controlled by her tongue.

Gary taught himself coding in order to create this bespoke system for his daughter. Initially Natasha used the sip-and-puff controls for a model boat on a boating lake, before graduating to skippering a full-sized sailing boat.

For Natasha, the technology has been life-changing: "I am unable to walk across a room, but with sailing I can cross oceans," she says. "I love being in control."