Wednesday, July 03, 2013

For the Love Of COMEX


For the Love Of COMEX

I received an email a few days ago, I would like to share with you:

Good day Jake

My name is Charl van der Merwe from South Africa. I have just read your article on Henri-Germain. What a interesting read. Thanks for posting it. I am a saturation diver myself (and a watch fanatic). Started diving when I was still a youngster with my dad, went to the South African Navy after school to become a Navy diver. 

After that I started my carrier in diving offshore. I since have been doing diving courses all around the world as well as working worldwide. I did my saturation course in Marseille France where I visited the Comex centre.

While I'm reading your article, I realize that my line of work, my profession would not have been possible if it was not for the likes of these men. I always say a timepiece will choose you, not the other way around. One day I will wear my Sea Dweller with pride.

I am currently on a saturation diving project off the west coast of Africa in Gabon and reading your article I can really relate to what these men achieved. I had the honer of meeting diving legend Claud Wesly during my saturation course in Marseille. He was telling us about project "pre continent 1" (1962) where himself and Albert Falco were living in a underwater habitat for a week, making history and becoming the first "saturation" divers. The project was overseen by Jacques Cousteau who was his close friend. More expeditions followed going deeper and deeper. It was great meeting him.

Kind Regards
Charl van der Merwe
South Africa

Henri-Germain Delauze was not only the founder of Comex, but also a man of amazing achievement. I became friends with him late in his life and completed a detailed podcast interview with him years ago, back in 2009. I just listened to part of it, and I will edit it and post it as soon as I can. In the mean-tine  if you have some time, check out the detailed story I wrote about Henri-Germain Delauze.