RV Calypso is a former British Royal Navy minesweeper converted into a research vessel for the oceanographic researcher Jacques Cousteau, equipped with a mobile laboratory for underwater field research. She was severely damaged in 1996 and was planned to undergo a complete refurbishment in 2009–2011 that has not been accomplished. The ship is named after the Greek mythological figure Calypso.
The research vessel Calypso of Jacques Cousteau arriving in Montreal on 30 August 1980
Bulbous bow observation chamber of Calypso
Calypso at La Rochelle (1999)
Calypso's bow extending from the Piriou shipyard's hangar in which she was stored (January 2014)
A research vessel is a ship or boat designed, modified, or equipped to carry out research at sea. Research vessels carry out a number of roles. Some of these roles can be combined into a single vessel but others require a dedicated vessel. Due to the demanding nature of the work, research vessels may be constructed around an icebreaker hull, allowing them to operate in polar waters.
Endeavour replica in 2000
Canadian hydrographic survey vessel CCGS Frederick G. Creed
United States oceanographic research vessel, NOAAS Ronald H. Brown
Danish fisheries research vessel, FRV Dana
