Giant project for Analox Military Systems

ANALOX Military Systems, the gas analysis equipment business, has been involved in a project which has provided the first ever film footage of a giant squid in its natural habitat.

AMS, which is based in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, supplied gear to monitor the atmosphere inside the submersibles used in the project, ensuring safe conditions at all times for the crew and scientists on board.

Footage of the giant squid premiered in Discovery TV’s Monster Squid: The Giant is Real yesterday. 

Discovery Channel joined forces with NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, to organise the project to film the creature, which has to date only been captured in still photographs. 

The submersibles used for the project were organised by Mark Taylor of Manned Sub International, who has worked with AMS for a number of years. 

More than 55 submersible dives were required and more than 285 hours were spent underwater, some at depths greater than 3,000 feet. 

Two deep sea submersibles with panoramic views were used to film the giant squid. 

Vicky Brown, sales and marketing director for AMS, said: “This was an ambitious and exciting project, which has proved amazingly successful. Mark’s expertise made sure the dives were conducted safely. 

“He is a great supporter of AMS and our gas analysis products, and we’re delighted that the Sub Aspida has played a part in this ground breaking project.”

The Sub Aspida is a portable dual gas monitor which detects both high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and low levels of oxygen (O2) in the air inside the submersible. 

It is used to alert the crew to changes in the atmosphere which could cause injury to those working in the submersible.

Analox Military Systems is a division of Analox Group. Analox specialises in the design and manufacture of gas analysers for military and commercial use.