THE SURCOUF GROUP

The SURCOUF Group is a team of mature professionals of proven ability, each with his own particular 'specialist' field (archivists, engineers, divers, experts…).

The SURCOUF Group is a dynamic, newly re-organized French group.

The SURCOUF Group is currently successfully negotiating concession rights in specifically selected countries (South-East Asia, Caribbean and Indian ocean for shipwreck research and South America for terrestrial treasures.

The SURCOUF Group is securely based on more than thirty years of research in the world's archives, and on successful past practical experience in the fields.

The SURCOUF Group just negociated with success several concession permits for shipwreck research (Asian South-East, Carribean and Indian Ocean) and land treasures (South America)..

The SURCOUF Group takes advantage of many years of hard work in the archives all over the world which helped it to select the more interesting marine and land treasures, both on financial, cultural and historical sides.

The SURCOUF Group is headed by Erick SURCOUF, who is the great-great grand nephew of the famous Robert SURCOUF (1773-1827) ‘king of the privateers’ of Napoleon 1^st.

Erick SURCOUF’s name is already well known and highly respected in the world of marine history and archaeology. He is widely recognized today as one of the world's foremost experts in the field of maritime history and private marine archaeology.

Erick SURCOUF is a specialist in post-mediaeval maritime history, with a particular interest in Spanish galleons, Portuguese carracks, East Indiamen trading vessels of the East India Company, Pirate ships and Chinese junks. With more than 25 years of experience to his credit, he has already discovered ten notable shipwrecks of historic interest amongst which are included :

The 'Oxford' (1669) - the flagship of the notorious Captain Henry Morgan (of Morgan's rum fame), sunk in haiti.
The  ‘Speaker’ (1702) of the famous English pirate John Bowen, sunk in Mauritius.
The 'United Provinces' (1615), a vessel belonging to the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C.), sunk in Mauritius.

The 'Sussex' (1738), an Indiaman vessel of the English East India Company, sunk on the atoll Bassas da India (Mozambique Channel).

 

He is a member of :

The Explorers Club (New York).

The Nautical Archaeological Society (London).

The French Commission of Maritime History (Paris).

The Association of the descendants of Corsair Captains (Saint-Malo).
 

Bibliography :

1992 : La mer en héritage - Editions Arthaud.

1992 : Pirates & Trésors / Vues sur la piraterie (en collaboration avec G. Jaeger) - Editions Taillandier.

1993 : Les trésors sous-marins (en collaboration avec les Dossiers de l'Histoire Mystérieuse).

1998 : Sur la piste des trésors engloutis - Editions Le Plaisancier / Loisirs nautiques.

2001 : L'or de la mer (co-auteur avec C. Bex) - Le Cherche Midi Editeur.

2003 : Le trésor de Surcouf (en collaboration avec S. Dual) - Editions Glénat.

2008 : Le secret du deuxième sphinx (co-auteur avec S. Dual) – Editions Alphée.

To be published :

2009 : Surcouf, l’invincible. Roi des corsaires – Editions du Rocher.

The companies which will succeed in this field will be those who know how to employ and combine all the following 'key' factors :

1/ A well-defined, long-term commercial and financial strategy.
2/ A rigorous scientific approach, using only equipment specifically adapted to the task in hand.
3/ The employment of true professionals.

4/ Leaving nothing to chance.
5/ A respect for the sites.
6/ An obligation to release progress reports to the media (academic publications and the popular press etc.)
7/ The exhibition of recuperated artefacts.
8/ A financial accountability on a regular and Professional basis to its investors.
9/ Prompt repayment of initial investment, and the prompt payment of percentage share to investors.
10/ A warm handshake at the end of the day.

These are the ten Golden Rules of the SURCOUF Group.