Marseille: the former chief diver of Commander Cousteau’s Calypso dies in a diving accident
Bernard Delemotte, professional diver and former traveling companion of Commander Jacques-Yves Cousteau, died this weekend following a diving accident off Frioul, near Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône) at the 83 years old.
A page turns. Marseille diver Bernard Delemotte died on Saturday January 14 from the consequences of a diving accident off the Frioul archipelago in Marseille (mouths of the Rhone). This former companion of Commander Cousteau was 83 years old.
Former chief diver and cameraman of the Calypso, Bernard Delemotte lived for the sea, repaired a submarine and never refused to share anecdotes and knowledge.
And then he loved to laugh.
He left us today, on a beach in Frioul, and we will miss him. pic.twitter.com/N953ExezGv
— Nicolas Alive (@[email protected]) (@NicolasVivant) January 14, 2023
According to our colleagues from France 3, Bernard Delemotte died during an outing with friends from the Union Nautique Marseillaise (UNM), in Frioul. “On the way up, he had an accident. We do not yet know the circumstances of the tragedy, an investigation is open and an autopsy will be carried out to find out more about the causes of his death, ”explained a relative of this Marseille diver.
Soon a Bernard Delemotte place in Marseille?
“Today we are losing a companion,” announces Hervé Menchon, deputy mayor in charge of marine biodiversity on Twitter.
Today we lose a companion.
The Marseilles diver Bernard Delemotte, Companion of the civil submarine the Saga, chief diver on the Calypso of Commander Cousteau died of an accident of #dive to #Frioul.
I share the deep pain of his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/JFmMOYLNsN
— Herve Menchon (@Menchon_Herve) January 14, 2023
Hervé Menchon has already indicated, on social networks, “a place will bear his name in Marseille, on the coast or at sea”.
Bernard Delemotte, perished at sea, represents a lot for the history of the sea and the #dive.
I undertake that a place bears his name in Marseille, on the #littoral or en #sea https://t.co/rGBCzCMK30
— Herve Menchon (@Menchon_Herve) January 15, 2023
As La Provence recalls, Bernard Delemotte had worked as a cameraman during the underwater expeditions of the famous explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. He was one of the Commander’s last crew members, along with Albert Falco, who died in 2012.