French sub wreck dived at 2.3km

DIVING NEWS

French sub wreck dived at 2.3km

Vescovo and Barbier

Barbier and Vescovo in Limiting Factor. (Picture: Eyos Expeditions)

Two 2.3km-deep Mediterranean submersible dives have been carried out to examine the wreck of S647 La Minerve. All 52 of the French Navy submarine's crew were lost when she sank in 1968, and the dives were to examine the wreck before laying a commemorative plaque.

The expedition was led by Rob McCallum of EYOS Expeditions, which operates in partnership with Caladan Oceanic and Triton Submarines.

On both dives Caladan's owner, undersea explorer Victor Vescovo, piloted Triton’s Limiting Factor, currently the world’s only full ocean-depth submersible.

Rear Admiral Jean Louis Barbier, formerly of the French submarine fleet and an authority on La Minerve‘s sinking, accompanied Vescovo on the investigative mission, describing it as “one of the best experiences of my life”.

“The dive gave me a comprehensive view of the wreck and will allow me to progress and come to a conclusion about the loss of La Minerve,” he said.

On the second dive Herve Fauve, son of La Minerve’s captain Andre Fauve, sat alongside Vescovo. He said afterwards that “an old and impossible dream has become a reality”.

The 58m attack submarine lies broken in three in a 300 sq m debris field, 30 miles off the French coast near her home port of Toulon. Launched in 1961, she sank in heavy weather while manoeuvring under water on her snorkel, but the cause of the accident has yet to be determined.

10 February 2020

In translation the plaque reads: “Sailors of the Minerve, we have been looking for you. We have never forgotten you. Your families, your brothers in arms, your friends.” Flowers were also laid over the site.

Last year the team used Limiting Factor to complete the Five Deeps Expedition, reaching the deepest point of each of the world’s oceans.

The Minerve Expedition, arranged in co-operation with the French Navy and Department of Sub-Aquatic Archaeology, was the start of a 2020 programme set to include diving to the deepest points in the Mediterranean, Red Sea and Pacific Ocean.

How Do You Attach a Jon Line? @BrentHollett #askmark #scuba

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

Get a weekly roundup of all Divernet news and articles Scuba Mask
We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Connect With Us

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x