An ambitious project
At the bend in a little street in Marseille, no one expects to discover such a vessel, waiting wisely in its hangar. The Saga, the largest civilian submarine in the world, is at the center of all the attentions of the association "Les Compagnons du Saga".
Its construction was launched by Captain Cousteau in 1966, under the name Argyronet. But due to lack of budget, the project was abandoned and taken over by Comex and Ifremer in the 1980s.
Renamed Saga, the objective of this submersible is to be able to intervene in the deep offshore, while ensuring autonomy allowing it to go to the diving areas by its own means. It is intended to work in the oil offshore, technological and scientific research and the public sector (Governments, Military Marines). The result is impressive.
Saga is 28 meters long and has a diving displacement of 545 tons. It consists of an atmospheric pressure compartment, which houses six crew members and the main equipment, as well as a hyperbaric compartment where up to six divers can be accommodated.
It is especially designed to descend to a depth of 600 meters and has an autonomy of 21 days.
State-of-the-art technology
In order to ensure these extraordinary performances for a civilian submarine, Saga has benefited from numerous innovations.
Its propulsion is ensured by two Stirling engines connected to two propellers on mobile nozzles. Its oxygen autonomy is ensured by two storage units placed outside the hull and allowing to embark 6500 kg of cryogenic oxygen.
The crew being limited, the control and piloting functions have been automated as much as possible. Thus the submarine can be piloted in transit by a single person.
Saga is also equipped with a rescue capsule, which is located on the upper part of the submarine. The crew could take place in this detachable sphere, which could reach the surface in case of damage. After test and qualification trials, Saga was commissioned in 1988. Its career will be stopped in 1990. The development of remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), which avoid risky interventions for divers, sounded the death knell for the short career of this innovative submarine.
How to visit the Saga?
The submarine is maintained with passion by the members of the association "Les Compagnons du Saga". In addition to the submarine, visitors will be able to discover many documents and accessories of the time, witnesses of the crazy years of diving and the discovery of the sea bed.
And if that is not enough, the companions of the Saga, who are for the most part former divers or submariners, will be able to answer all your questions. The association offers visits by appointment during its regular openings to the public.
