Dr Jotham Scerri Diacono and
Dr Jan Rossi have recently assisted the Cousteau Foundation
with its recent activities in Malta.
Life has a funny way of going round in circles. We all know
about the adventures of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Many of us
recall eagerly watching his TV episodes on board his famous
scientific ship, the CALYPSO – a symbol of his epic
adventures. What most will not know is that Captain Cousteau had
initially acquired this ship in Malta in 1950.
The CALYPSO was originally a USA built mine sweeper. It was
commissioned by the Royal Navy and assigned to active service in
the Mediterranean Sea, based in Malta. After its decommissioning in
1946, it remained laid up in Malta. For a short while, it was used
as a ferry between Marfa, Malta and Mgarr, Gozo. Mr Cousteau
discovered the CALYPSO in 1950 when he travelled to Malta to find a
suitable ship for his new adventures. He immediately knew she was
the one and so began his worldwide sea
