On the night of Tuesday 12 September 2017, at 2.30 a.m., the Calypso, currently undergoing renovation in Turkey, was damaged by a fire. The police are currently working to determine the cause of the fire, while the damage is being assessed. Fortunately, there were no victims.
As far as the damage is concerned, it would appear that no historical elements have been affected. It would only concern recently rebuilt wooden parts. A damaging accident when the restoration of the hull was nearing completion after months of work.
"This situation reinforces my determination to carry out Commander Cousteau's wish for Calypso to sail again. I have been fighting for 20 years to protect the heritage bequeathed to his associations by the Commander. It is an exciting, complex mission, and whatever the cost, the time, the obstacles, I will never give it up. For Calypso, we have an excellent shipyard, dedicated management teams, motivated, exceptional marine carpenters who work with love and talent. For them, for all those who have shown so much hope in seeing this ship rebuilt, I want to make this job a success." said Francine Cousteau, President of The Cousteau Society.
The work on Calypso is not abandoned, but delayed.
