Cousteau acquired the Calypso, a former British minesweeper, and converted it into a mobile oceanographic research vessel. The Calypso became his primary base of operations for exploring the world's oceans.

Over several decades, the Calypso embarked on numerous expeditions to explore the world's oceans, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Amazon River and the Antarctic. These expeditions yielded invaluable scientific data and stunning underwater footage.

The Calypso explored the Red Sea coral reefs, documented the marine life of the Galapagos Islands, investigated shipwrecks, and studied the impact of pollution on marine ecosystems. Cousteau and his team made significant contributions to our understanding of the ocean and its inhabitants.

The Calypso sank in Singapore harbor after being struck by a barge. The ship was later recovered, but its restoration proved to be a lengthy and challenging process.