Cousteaus Calypso lives

[salimbag]

Awhile back I started a thread lamenting the fact that the Calypso was rotting away in New Rochelle France, seemingly unsalvageable, bound to be scuttled. With the counsel of rather sane and non-nostalgic forum members I came to the conclusion that it was just as well.

Seems now Carnival cruise lines has put up 1.3 mil to have it authentically refurbished and made into a museum. The refurb will take place in the Bahamas (how they'll get it there is still unknown - it isn't seaworthy. It would probably fit in the swimming pool of most of Carnival's cruise ships). It's final destination is unknown as well. A PR move, they say they owe their business success to clean oceans and sustainable tourism, and a refurbished Calypso seems like a good move. Scheduled to be done late 2005 :11ztongue

 

[scubapro50]

we saved the Battleship Texas from being scraped several times by doing fund raisers and taking donations from large corporations. School kids saved there alumn cans and the proceeds helped save the old girl ...... Aqualung should pitch in and help save the Calypso by doing something ..... What about the goverment of France ? Nothing from them again ? I would really like to see the Calypso saved and turned into a tourist attraction in the Bahamas or at least be turned into a good shipwreck dive in Cayman.

 

[drbill]

Hmmm... Carnival Cruises, eh? I'd be interested in knowing whether their cruise ships employ best available wastewater and solid waste treatment methods. PR is one thing. Actually doing what is right is often another. I know certain of the major cruise lines are guilty of some serious environmental violations, although I don't know if Carnival is one of them.

The question comes up... who will manage the museum that emerges within the Calypso. If it is TCS, I'm not expecting much. It would be interesting to see what consultants they involve in this project.

I hate to sound so skeptical... but I am. I never got a chance to work on board the Calypso, only the Alcyone.

Dr. Bill

 

[salimbag]

Yeah, I know. The good news is that if they aren't environmentally conscientious this might just push them to be. The old people who are their primary market remember Cousteau, the younger kids don't know who he was. It would be good to keep that memory alive, not as a nostalgia bit but as another tool the environmental movement can use to advance the cause.

The previous post about US Divers putting up some loot is also a good idea.

Where and what final form the renovation will take is still up in the air. Could be great, could fall apart, could be a corporate hack....

 

[aquaoren]

we saved the Battleship Texas from being scraped several times by doing fund raisers and taking donations from large corporations. School kids saved there alumn cans and the proceeds helped save the old girl ...... Aqualung should pitch in and help save the Calypso by doing something ..... What about the goverment of France ? Nothing from them again ? I would really like to see the Calypso saved and turned into a tourist attraction in the Bahamas or at least be turned into a good shipwreck dive in Cayman.

Don't expect too much from the French Government.
They are much more comfortable blowing ships up rather than refurbishing them.
Anyone remembers the Rainbow Warrior?

 

[Mako Mark]

Don't expect too much from the French Government.
They are much more comfortable blowing ships up rather than refurbishing them.
Anyone remembers the Rainbow Warrior?

Yeah, I remember,

I remember sitting on the porch watching it sail into Auckland harbour.

The Kiwis still hate the French for that..

.

 

[aquaoren]

Yeah, I remember,

I remember sitting on the porch watching it sail into Auckland harbour.

The Kiwis still hate the French for that..

.

Don't get me started on the Kiwis foreign politics.
They catch couple of idiots with phoney passports and brake up all diplomatic relationship but blowing a ship in your harbour doesn't even come close, so we'll just smile and pretend that everything is fine.
I am questioning whether a prime minister that can not control her emotions and allows her personal opinions and dislikes to dictate matters of the state, is the right person to run a country.