_____
/ \
/ . . \
| ( ) | THE AQUALUNG
\ === /
\_____/ A Tribute to
||| Jacques Cousteau
/ \
/| |\ 1910-1997
/ | | \
o | | o "The sea, once it
| | casts its spell,
/| |\ holds one in its
/ | | \ net of wonder
o | | o forever."
| |
/ \
/ \
| |
\ CALYPSO /
\_______/
Celebrating Jacques-Yves Cousteau
June 11, 1910 - June 25, 1997
Behind every Cousteau expedition stood a dedicated crew—divers, filmmakers, scientists, and sailors who shared his passion for the sea.
PAC (La Bergère - The Shepherdess) (1919-1990)
His wife and constant partner aboard Calypso, she managed the ship and crew with quiet authority
Son (1938-present)
Eldest son, continued father's work through Ocean Futures Society
Son (1940-1979)
Filmmaker son, died in seaplane crash, established diving legacy
Chief Diver (1927-2012)
Captain of Calypso, closest diving companion for four decades
Diver (1913-1991)
One of the original trio who developed and tested the Aqua-Lung
Engineer (1900-1979)
Co-inventor of the Aqua-Lung, the engineering genius behind the design
Diver (1905-2002)
Third member of 'Les Mousquemers' (The Sea Musketeers)
Diver (Longtime crew member and underwater cinematographer)
In the 1940s, three young French naval officers formed the original diving trio: Jacques Cousteau, Frédéric Dumas, and Philippe Tailliez. They called themselves "Les Mousquemers"—a play on "Mousquetaires" (Musketeers) and "mer" (sea).
Together they pioneered underwater exploration, tested the Aqua-Lung, and filmed the first underwater movies. Their friendship and shared passion laid the foundation for everything that followed.
Known to the crew as "PAC" (meaning "First Person to Arrive at the Table") and "La Bergère" (The Shepherdess), Simone Cousteau was Jacques' wife and partner for 54 years. She was the only woman aboard Calypso for most expeditions, managing the ship and crew while Jacques focused on exploration. She never sought the spotlight but was indispensable to every mission.