3. FOREWORD
J ust as this third issue of Comex Magazine goes to press, an important matter
is playing out near the Vieux-Port, in the waters of the Marseille Calanques,
which Comex’s vessels and divers know so well. For nearly 10 years
now, a public interest group has been taking an in-depth look at the wildlife,
flora, hills and depths of this vast coastal and maritime area covering 4,000 hectares.
This is where, by 2010, the Calanques National Park should be established. And
it will be the first nature park to be founded by the government in a very long
time, as most French national parks were
established in the 60’s and 70’s. More
important still, it will be Europe’s first nature
park near a city, with this dual identity
encompassing both land and sea. Its creation
is a sure thing, as the Calanques National
Park is covered by the French “Grenelle”
environmental initiative. However, its exact
perimeter still needs to be determined. More
specifically, the “core zone” (where the level
of protection will be the highest) and the
“partnership zone” (where the protective
measures may be reviewed periodically)
Henri Germain DELAUZE need to be defined. This is a key issue for
CEO all the enthusiastic participants, including
scientists, fishermen, residents, property
owners, walkers, boaters and many others
who have contributed to this wonderful effort. But the marine and underwater
boundaries of this superb project must not be forgotten. Because, if the Calanques
Mountains do indeed deserve every consideration, from Marseille to the neighboring
city of La Ciotat and from the islands of Maïre to Riou, the seabed and waters
also deserve a better fate than the one they have been subjected to for the past
century. Like so many Marseille residents who love their city and its environment,
Comex and its staff look forward eagerly to this outcome.
3
5. TELEX ı PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS TO TEST THE NEW WATCH. Rolex entrusted Comex with the task of designing and manufacturing the
hyperbaric chamber that serves to test each Sea Dweller DeepSea to a depth of 480 atmospheres. Delivered recently to the prestigious
watchmaker in Geneva, this chamber consists of a high-performance single-piece stainless-steel tank, capable of creating the ambient
pressure that reigns at 4,875 meters, or a level 25% deeper than the new watch’s rated capability. At this level, the water column exerts a
pressure equivalent to a weight of 4 tons, bearing down on the crystal, the winder and the case-back. As they emerge from the workshop,
batches of 10 Sea Dweller DeepSea watches are put through extremely stringent testing in this new, exclusive equipment. Each watch takes
an hour and a half of testing to complete a full cycle.
deeper
The first flagship brands filed by Hans Wilsdorf
ROLEX 1908 EXPLORER 1953
OYSTER 1926 SUBMARINER 1954
OYSTER PERPETUAL 1939 MILGAUSS 1954
AIR KING 1943 GMT-MASTER 1955
DATEJUST 1944 DAY-DATE 1958
TURN-O-GRAPH 1953
“ It took three years
of research to develop the
new Sea Dweller DeepSea.
”
ROLEX AND COMEX
Everybody appreciates the quality and robustness of “A hydrogen diver just can’t survive without his Rolex”.
Rolex watches. And then there are Rolex fans who Comex first began collaborating with the Geneva-
absolutely worship their watches, and especially certain based watchmaker at the very beginning of the 70’s,
models, including the Submariner and the Sea Dweller, on the initiative of André Heiniger. All the divers were
featuring Comex’s white logo on their dials. These equipped with the timepieces progressively, thanks
watches have another characteristic: a special Rolex to a successful cooperation between the two companies.
Comex serial number engraved on the case-back. Over the years, the watches engraved with the Comex
Initially designed for the company’s divers, for whom name have fostered technological innovations, the
they are a real tool, these watches very quickly interested most famous of which remains the gas escape valve
the collectors and purists of the Swiss brand. As Henri- that is such a crucial feature on the watches of divers
Germain Delauze remarked in the magazine published doing saturation diving. These limited-series items
by Rolex - which just dedicated four pages to him - have become an amazingly hot item amongst collectors.
5
7. COMEX ACCOMPANIES
THE FIRST DIVES OF THE
TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
This year, on behalf of the DCNS (French naval shipbuilder), Comex
conducted an escort, surveillance and security mission for a new vessel,
the submarine Tunku Abdul Rahman, which is performing its first sea
trials. This is the first of two Scorpène submarines that the DCNS is going
to supply to the Royal Malaysian Navy.
8. SPECIAL REPORT: SCORPÈNE
45
The Tunku Abdul
Rahman can
remain
submerged for
45 days in a row.
THE
SCORPÈNE
SUBMARINE
“ The Scorpène is
based on a design
developed from the new
generation of French
nuclear submarines.
With ten units sold worldwide, the Scorpène has risen to genuine
prominence on the international market. A contract with Chile
was completed in December 2005 with the delivery of the
O’Higgins, and in December 2006 with that of the Carrera.
”
the best technology, at a competitive price, with a reduced total
Moreover, these first deliveries made it possible to demonstrate cost of ownership.
the exceptional qualities of the vessels, thereby confirming
DCNS’ high level of expertise. The Scorpène is a new type of conventional-propulsion submarine
(diesel-electric or hybrid), designed for surface and submarine
The trials on the two units for Malaysia are taking place in attacks, special operations and training.
the shipbuilding yards of Cherbourg and Cartagena. Six other It is based on a design developed from the latest generation of French
Scorpène submarines have been ordered by the Indian Navy. nuclear submarines, thus benefiting from the most cutting-edge
technology available on the conventional submarine market today.
With the Scorpène submarine, DCNS is able to meet the
operational needs of different navies and provide them with
8
10. INTERVIEW WITH A SPECIALIST
ÉRIC LAVOLÉE
EXECUTIVE PROJECT DIRECTOR FOR THE SCORPÈNE MALAYSIA PROJECT
Having an iron fist in a velvet glove, a highly professional approach recognized
by his peers and an innate sense of organization has enabled Eric Lavolée to take
a high-speed career track. At the head of the Scorpène project at DCNS in
Cherbourg, he is successfully conducting this world-class operation involving
French/Spanish cooperation on a contract designed for the Royal Malaysian Navy.
Here is Comex Magazine’s interview with him.
“A successful
collaboration”
PROFILE
Born on September 18, 1962,
Eric Lavolée is married and has
a 9-year old child.
A graduate of ENSIETA, a prestigious
French engineering school, he was
promoted in 2000 to the position of
“
Principal Armament Engineer based on
recruitment by competitive
examination.
For several months, Comex and DCNS have been
involved in a successful collaboration on the trial phase
He is presently Head Armament
of two new submarines built in Cherbourg. Could you
Engineer on detached duty.
explain your role in this operation?
His career path is impressive. Between I am directing the construction of two Scorpène class submarines
Cherbourg and Toulon, he participated ordered by the Royal Malaysian Navy. My mission consists of
in the refit operation of the ballistic supervising all the stages, from the design to the procurement,
missile submarine “Le Terrible”. He was including the construction and final acceptance of the submarines.
in charge of the maintenance in In parallel with this construction project, as the Malaysians
operational conditions of aircraft have never had a submarine fleet, DCNS is also having the
carriers Foch and Clémenceau. He also crews trained onboard a decommissioned submarine of the
contributed to the maintenance in French Navy, the Ouessant, and then on a specially designed
operational conditions of major ships simulator. Maintenance training is also included. This is all part
during the Kosovo conflict and of the contracts signed in 2002 with Malaysia.
participated in disarming the
Clémenceau. Between 2000 and 2002,
When is delivery of the first boat to take place?
he was the Chief Designer for aircraft
The first submarine, named Tunku Abdul Rahman in October, 2007,
carrier no. 2 and for the Scorpène. He is
will be presented for acceptance by the client during what is
currently Executive Project Director for
called the “physical hand-over”, scheduled for January 25, 2009.
the Scorpènes intended for Malaysia.
We are now in the home stretch. Indeed, after undergoing
10
11. ten days, the submarine will head to Lorient to perform a few
additional tests in the Atlantic Ocean.
What did your teams bring away from this experience
of collaborating with Comex?
Janus II enabled our crews to embark both on the submarine
and on its escort vessel. It even went the extra mile, as it
implemented special sensors to help us conduct certain tests.
All this made for a successful collaboration.
The Scorpène is available in three categories: the
compact, the basic and the basic AIP. Which category
does the Tunku Abdul Rahman belong to?
In fact, the Tunku Abdul Rahman is a conventional Scorpène
submarine. The Royal Malaysian Navy is the second country
after Chile to purchase Scorpènes. There are obviously differences
between the Chilean and Malaysian ships, which depend both
on the clients’ needs and developments in the world of
submarines. In the period of time between the orders being
placed by these two countries, the dramatic sinking of the
3million
Koursk occurred. Navies worldwide were alerted to safety issues.
This was even more evident for Malaysia, which is discovering
the world of submarines. This is why the Tunku Abdul Rahman
has a small extra section in the middle, of utmost importance.
It is called a “cofferdam”, a resistant compartment that splits
the submarine into two independent watertight parts, and which
that’s the number of work features the air-aided escape system.
hours allocated just for How is the second ship coming along?
DCNS’s portion of the Number 2 was started at the same time as number 1, so it
Malaysian Scorpène program. is well advanced. Navantia, our Spanish partner, is currently
starting trials on it in Cartagena. It should be delivered to
the Royal Malaysian Navy nine months after the Tunku
Abdul Rahman.
Are you looking forward to taking to the sea again for
the engineering tests, the submarine was dry-docked for corrective the final stage of trials on the Tunku Abdul Rahman?
and preventive maintenance required to upgrade its installations Yes, I can’t wait. This submarine, I witnessed its birth. From
and take account of the comments and observations that the moment when its first piece of sheet metal was cut, in
were made during the test phases and some 400 hours of diving. February 2003, to its first dive, I have watched it progress,
Now, the Tunku Abdul Rahman is taking to the sea again for step by step.
its official trial period, which will end in the Mediterranean.
Like a child?
At the beginning of the year, the Janus II, Comex’s True enough, something like that, even if it’s rather pretentious
flagship, was chartered to the Tunku Abdul Rahman. to say so. I witnessed its first moves on the slipway when it
What was its mission? rolled out of its assembly shed. Next, we gave it its first bath.
Janus II had to accompany and escort the Tunku Abdul Rahman Then it learned how to dive…And now, we have to teach it
during its engineering tests in Lorient. Comex’s vessel was a to submerge for extended periods of time.
reassuring presence for everyone during the trials. It was
comforting to know that there was a surface ship, with all the When did you live your greatest emotion with it?
necessary resources, ready to signal the slightest problem. Definitely when we brought it to its maximum depth in March,
But the ship’s job doesn’t end there, as it will continue to escort this year. A very special moment...
the submarine during the final trials in the Mediterranean.
The role of Janus II will be exactly the same, except that the
final trials will be conducted in Toulon, with the same
contributions for the trials. Prior to going to Toulon in about
11
12. TRAVEL
SOUTHERN CORSICA:
UNRIVALLED BEAUTY
Corsica, with its incomparable
beauty, intoxicating fragrances
and turquoise waters, has
long been one of the favorite
p l a y i n g f i e l d s f o r C o m e x ’s
vessels. The Minibex and
its crew have carried out
countless missions of all
k i n d s t h e r e. E s p e c i a l l y i n
Southern Corsica, between
B o n i f a c i o, p e rch e d a t o p i t s
narrow limestone cliffs, and
the famous Lavezzi Islands,
a very important nature BONIFACIO: “THE CITY OF CLIFFS”
reserve for any diving The upper city, with its buildings balancing on the edge of a 223-foot-high
cliff, seems to be standing by virtue of a miracle; at least, this is the impression
enthusiast keen on beauty. you get when you approach it from the sea. You can also discern a sharp, narrow
recess cut into the limestone wall, going down to the water at an angle of about
45 degrees. This is the staircase of the King of Aragon, with its 187 steps carved
into the cliff. Legend has it that it was built overnight by the troops of King
Alfonso V the Magnanimous, during the siege of Bonifacio in 1420. However,
it is more likely that this staircase was built over a longer period of time by
Franciscan monks, who wanted to reach a spring of drinking water situated
at the foot of the staircase.
12
13. IN THE LAVEZZI ISLANDS, PEACE AND PLEASURE
The Lavezzi Islands are located halfway southwest of the archipelago. But there
between Sardinia and Corsica, in the is more to the Lavezzi Islands than
Strait of Bonifacio. There are many wrecks this. First and foremost, it is a nature
lying under the surface of the crystal- reserve of which Henri Delauze was
clear waters surrounding them. In one of the discoverers. A paradise for
particular, the Sémillante, one of the last divers, with, amongst other things, the brilliant sunlight, because there
French wooden sailing frigates, which Mérouville, a place where you can are not many shady places. If you have
had set sail to give assistance to the French swim alongside groupers quite freely. no boat to get there, shuttles leave
troops engaged in the Crimean War. It is also a haven of peace for walkers, from Bonifacio on a regular basis.
In the night of February 15, 1855, the who can visit the island by taking the So remember to pack some sunscreen,
French ship was caught in a storm of numerous trails blazed through the a hat and water, and set off for an
extreme violence and sank on one of vegetation. Carved into granite, the adventure on the sunbathed trails.
the reefs of the Lavezzi Islands, taking Lavezzi Isles are made up of about a Lay down your towel on the white
down with it the 301 sailors and hundred small islands. They feature sand of the island’s many beaches and
392 soldiers onboard. After the sinking, small beaches with crystalline blue have a dive in the turquoise waters of
two cemeteries were opened and a water and small coves where boats the Mediterranean.
pyramid was built in 1856, at the anchor. For walkers and swimmers,
summit of Mount Achiarino in the make sure to protect yourself from
THE UPPER CITY
The port of Bonifacio is hidden in a deep natural inlet. A first small
cove enables ships to drop anchor, while the port itself continues farther
inland, protected by the imposing citadel of the upper city. In summertime,
the traditional fishing boats keep company with luxury yachts. The
harbor is full of restaurants and souvenir shops. You can’t go to Bonifacio
without climbing up the Rastello Steps (Montée Rastello), and then the
Saint-Roch Steps (Montée Saint-Roch), which will lead you to the
drawbridge of the Porte de Gênes (Genoa Gate), built in 1588. Bonifacio
initially flourished in the shelter of its fortifications. It is thus naturally
in the upper city that you find the vestiges of its millennial past. As
soon as you go through the monumental gate, you are on the Place
d’Armes, in the old city of Bonifacio. It will take you a while to discover
the hidden treasures of the city, such as the Bastion de l’Etendard, dating
from the 16th century, the Rue des Deux-Empereurs, Rue Charles-Quint
PLACES TO GO and Rue Napoléon-Bonaparte, where you will be able to admire the
many aqueducts overlooking the narrow streets. These were used for
> Tourist Office of Bonifacio collecting rainwater and transporting it to the Cisterna, the drinking
Rue Fred Scamaroni
20169 Bonifacio
“
Phone 04 95 73 11 88
Fax 04 95 73 14 97
tourisme.bonifacio@wanadoo.fr
http://www.bonifacio.fr
The buildings of the upper
> Restaurants
city seem to be miraculously
clinging to the limestone cliff.
”
Stella d’Oro Chez Jules
7 Rue d’Oria Haute ville
Bonifacio
Phone 04 95 73 03 63
stella.oro@bonifacio.com water reservoir that was so crucial during sieges. The house of the
http://www.bonifacio.com/stella.oro/ Podestat, the governor of the city during the Genoa period, and Sainte-
Cantina Grill Marie Majeure Church, which is the oldest building in Bonifacio, are
3 Quai Bando Del Ferro on le Goulet also important sights to take in. Finally, at the southern tip of the
after Montée Rastello promontory, you’ll find a naval cemetery, windmills dating back to
Phone 04 95 70 49 86
cantinagrill@wanadoo.fr
the 12th century, and, above all, a spectacular view of the Strait of
Bonifacio and Sardinia, just opposite. And if you’re feeling brave, make
Le Comptoir Bonifacien your way down the steps of the King of Aragon staircase, but beware:
9 Rue saint Jean Baptiste
Bonifacio
you’ll have to climb all the way back up afterwards!
Phone 04 95 73 58 54
flyem@wanadoo.fr
13
14. NEWSNEWSNEWSNEWSNEWSNE
“Hublot”, the first novel by Marc Delauze, published
Books by Société des Ecrivains.
In this page-turner, the fine seagoing vessels,
not to be Janus IV Rémora 2000 and Achille the ROV play
, ,
a starring role.
missed
“Ténèbres Océanes, le triomphe de la vie
dans les abysses”, by Lucien Laubier,
published by Buchet Chastel Ecologie
The DGA chooses the
Comex/Foselev consortium for the
maintenance of Cap Ferrat’s COMEX ON THE CUTTING EDGE FOR
monitoring system. The consortium
comprising Comex (lead company) and Foselev (joint
venturer with the vessel Castor II) has been chosen
CYBERNETIX
A campaign designed to validate the optimization of a tool for
by the General Armament Delegation (DGA) of the cleaning seismic cables was conducted last June onboard the
French Defense Ministry to carry out maintenance on Minibex, for Cybernetix, a company specializing in automatic
control and robotics. This operation concerned equipment belonging
the underwater monitoring system of Cap Ferrat, for to the geophysics company,
a five-year period. The service consists of lifting and CGG Veritas. This new tool,
reinstalling submerged acoustic lines. called NST, was developed
by Cybernetix. It will make
it possible to maintain the
performance level of seismic
LOTS GOING ON AT LA imaging tools designed for
offshore oil surveying. The
PROVENCE NEWSPAPER NST, propelled exclusively
The journalist Hervé Vaudoit, who was a star reporter at the by the pressure of its flow resistance, passes along a seismic
La Provence newspaper during the Saint-Exupéry affair, is back in cable at a depth of 2 or 3 meters, and has to clear the various
Marseille. After staying on the investigation from start to finish and subassemblies that comprise the cable, such as the seismic birds
then writing a book about this incredible adventure - “Saint-Ex, (positioning devices), canisters, ballasts, etc. The tests were
La Fin du Mystère”, co-authored by Alexis Rosenfeld and conducted on a seismic cable towed by Comex’s boat. The client
Philippe Castellano and published by Filipacchi in 2004 - he (who was present) was able to observe the ease of use and excellent
had been appointed Edition Editor of La Provence in Aix-en- handling of the device on the seismic cable. The cleanup operation
Provence. Early September, he was promoted to the position of itself will be checked soon, under actual operating conditions. This
head of the “Economy, Social and Environment” section of the operation will be performed onboard a ship of the CGG Veritas
Marseille daily. He is working with three other journalists interested fleet, in warm waters where marine encrustations, such as goose
in the sea and the corporate world: Philippe Gallini, Jean-Luc Crozel barnacles, develop very quickly, to the detriment of the performance
and Valérie Simonet, whose serious, professional approach has levels of acoustic devices.
always been admired by Comex. All the employees of the Compagnie
Maritime d’Expertise, as well as the editorial staff of Comex Magazine,
wish this new team and its boss much success and achievement.
INAUGURATION OF THE CHAMBER AT
SAINTE-ANNE MILITARY HOSPITAL IN TOULON
The hyperbaric chamber of the Sainte-Anne Military has replaced the old one, and the interior equipment
Hospital has just been installed in its new premises, has been completely redone and updated. Since
in Toulon (Var). The inauguration ceremony for it was restarted on May 1st, the hyperbaric center
these new systems, held on May 21st, was attended has successfully performed, in these new installations
by many important civilian and military guests. made and maintained by Comex, some forty
Comex’s role in this project was to extract the treatments for diving accidents, about fifteen
chamber from its initial location, totally overhaul treatments for intoxications and daily treatments
it from a technical standpoint and then install it for chronic conditions.
in its new home, custom-designed at Sainte-Anne
Hospital. A new, fully automated control console
14
