Founded in 1973, InterSub managed and operated a fleet of manned submersibles, worldwide.
InterSub was a joint-venture between Northern Offshore Limited and Monsieur Jean-Francois Durand.
The company was was set up to operate submersibles in the North Sea and the original idea was to combine the shipowning capability of Northern Offshore Ltd, with the many years experience in the submarine business of M.Durand. New operations pioneered by InterSub in the North Sea included: topographical investigations of gravity platform sites, bathymetric surveys, well head and pipeline inspection, non-destructive testing and underwater photography.
M. Jean-Francois and Mme. Claudine Durand, Houston OTC 1974
InterSub's operational teams included pilots, engineers and technicians of several nationalities.
The Gallic charm of the French, mixing well with Englishmen - like the legendary Harry Bates
Capabilities of the teams ranged from the operation of the submersibles in all their aspects, to the design and operation of sophisticated electronic equipment.
The US built Perry PC8B was the company's first operational
manned submersible.
Operating from her Mother Ship, Nadir
InterSub was equipped exclusively with Perry submersibles. Built at Riviera Beach, Miami, Florida,
their simple and rugged nature made them ideal for the tough conditions of the North Sea.
The mighty diver lockout submersible PC1202
And the advanced dry-transfer submersible PC1601
As the company developed and expanded, so did its underwater capabilities.
Seen above is Pilot George Bezak, about to dive with boulder breaking shaped charges.
The nerve centre! Nick, JFD and Marc Henry, InterSub HQ 1975
The late, great, JFD, who left us tragically, with Marc Henry and Jean-Jacques Moalic, the company's new Finance Director, at Milan on 5th May 1978.
It was one of those points in life, which we all experience at some time or other, when we know that nothing will quite be the same again. I still think about it today, wondering about the thirty years I have enjoyed, since the moment I received the call from Marseille, with the awful news that they had gone. I wonder what JFD, Marc and Jean-Jacques might have gone on to achieve. But their abiding legacy is their beautiful children, and for us, the privilege of having known them.
Always remembered....Never forgotten....
It would be great to grow an InterSub web page, where we can keep in touch and exchange reminiscences of our time with this truly remarkable company.
Please send digital photos and text by using the button link below.
I hold copies of English versions of the two InterSub videos, "Des Sous-Marins et des Hommes" and "Sous-Marins,Hommes et Tecniques", which are free to all ex-InterSub people. Just e-mail me with your address and I'll send you a copy!
Updated: 22-09-2009