Natasha Lambert controlling the boat via sip and puff technology mounted on her helmet and linked to a computer. Past that point, the system instead activates a Harken rewind winch, which eases or winds in the mainsheet. If the boom is within a 7° arc of the centreline, Natasha’s sip and puff tube operates the flatwinder to move the traveller up and down. A top arc of LEDs indicates where the boom is, while the bottom LEDs indicate where the computer recommends the boom to be. When Natasha changes modes, a puff eases the sail out, while a sip trims in.Īs Natasha cannot easily see the mainsail angle from the helming seats, she matches up LED lights on a display above the wheel. When depressed, it blocks the light passing between an LED on one side and a light-dependent resistor - in effect, it is a light shutter that operates a switch. This changes modes from operating the wheel to operating the mainsheet winch and traveller flatwinder, either trimming in or paying out the sail.īeneath the button is a brass shaft. Natasha also has a plastic button mounted on her helmet chin guard which she can push with her tongue. A switch on the chinguard changes modes from helm to sails. Sip and puff controls on Natasha’s helmet: she controls the boat by puffing or sipping on the plastic tube. In 2014, she sailed to Wales and walked up Pen Y Fan mountain using her special Hart Walker. They started experimenting with model boats before buying bought a 21ft Mini 6.50, Miss Isle, which Gary adapted and Natasha sailed round the Isle of Wight in 2012.
She suffers from involuntary movements so can’t always co-ordinate her limbs, but had always been able to drink from a straw and make sip and puff movements, so dad Gary had the idea of using this to activate switches to control the helm and sails on a custom-adapted vessel. Natasha was introduced to sailing at the age of nine, and was immediately captivated by it. We met the family on board their boat in Las Palmas, and Natasha’s mum Amanda answered questions on behalf of Natasha as the special communication computer Natasha uses had been smashed going through airport security and she was waiting for a replacement to arrive. From choosing a suitable boat for Natasha to modifying and adapting it so that she can control the wheel and trim the sails with helmet controls, it has been a huge undertaking – 2020’s pandemic was but one layer of difficulty. The Lamberts had taken part in the ARC transatlantic rally from Gran Canaria to St Lucia.
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