The sturdy wooden minesweeper has seen many reincarnations - as a ferry, an oceanic research vessel, a television icon and a sad victim of a 1996 collision in Singapore. For the past eleven years, Mrs. Cousteau has fought to resurrect her as an inspiration for future generations and a platform for education and science. At last, the day has been won, as Calypso arrived at a shipyard that specializes in restoring historic vessels, ready to be reborn.

Patrice Quesnel, the captain of Alcyone is responsible for the project. He is assisted by Laurent Cordelle, a well-respected maritime expert from La Rochelle who has been following developments with the Calypso over the last six years. Three to fifteen peoples are working on the shipyard site and several trades are involved: carpenters, peeling specialists, electricians, boiler-makers and mechanics…
 

Calypso's voyage to Concarneau

The preparation work on Calypso in the port of La Rochelle (France) consisted of lightening the load, completely lining the topsides and bridge with crossed plywood sheets in order to guarantee the water-tightness, and to reinforce the structure and aft of the ship. Two tugboats conveyed the ship, assisted by an accompanying technical ship so crew can intervene at any moment if required.
 

At the Piriou shipyard

Arrived at the Piriou shipyard, Calypso has been placed in a dry-dock in a hangar to undergo a diagnostic phase to determine the exact state of the hull. To examine the exterior, a "peeling" of the hull have been realized, which consists of removing a very fine layer of paint and anti-fouling. To determine the interior, the bridge has been dismantled and the ship totally stripped; all the appendices of navigation situated in the hold of the ship, notably the tanks, that is diesel stores, the slat water, grey water and black water tanks, etc. Only the skeleton of the ship remained. Finally, the outside as well as the inside of the hull was in perfect condition!
Moving forwards from the stern to the bow, some parts of the "Calypso's skeleton" have been reinforced, others replaced and the wooden part of the stem where the "false nose", the underwater observation chamber designed by Captain Cousteau, was attached was completely rebuilt.
The next key steps of the Calypso's restoration are putting the engines in place, installing the electrical and pneumatic systems, positioning the tanks and the safety devices. Soon, more details on this extraordinary adventure!
 

A green ship

Calypso was built in 1942 with Oregon pine, in Seattle. Shipyards have always used the materials that are closest to hand. Woods used to rebuild Calypso (oak and larch) come from local forests managed by the Office National des Forêts (National Forestry Office): trees that are cut are immediately replaced, which ensures that harvesting is balanced. The environmental impact of the restoration is one of the major concerns. Calypso will be a "green" ship. Even if the works will take more time, this approach is consistent with Calypso's soul: state-of-the-art engines with the cleanest possible injectors will be used, the same is true for the collection and treatment of waste water. This shipyard works with natural product trying to make the greatest use of the most natural processes. The hull will be caulked with hemp oakum;, A glazier's mastic made up of burnt sienna and linseed oil will be used to coat the hemp instead of polyurethane. Then, Dowels (wooden plugs) will be put to cover the nail hole in the planking, instead of the usual mixture of epoxy and silica.
 

A Classic ship

Calypso was built in 1942 but its restoration must meet standards imposed by modern legislation. A new piece of French legislation has been passed that should allow for exceptions to rebuild certain historical ships. It's a matter of "section 244" of May 25, 2008, which governs the construction and repair of ships considered " classic" and authorizes deviations from current rules. This section was signed at the end of May 2008 and Calypso shipyard is the first to try the new French regulation.

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