The DSRV-TAURUS was constructed in Canada, by Hyco International, one of the world's leading submarine manufacturers. Following successful diving and certification trials the submarine then supported scientific, commercial and Royal Navy subsea operations offshore Europe, and America. During this initial period DSRV-TAURUS completed 165 dives, supporting a wide range of underwater operations. Missions included scientific research dives for the University of Southern California. Salvage, inspection, one atmosphere intervention, and diver-lockout operations, to 450ft (150m) in support of subsea construction (North Sea). Dry transfer trials, in support of a subsea manned intervention programme. This programme included thirty dry transfer dives to mate with a test-cap. Eight of these dry transfer missions achieved a successful mate at 1005ft (314m).