Albert Falco | |
|---|---|
 Albert Falco in 2011 in Sormiou (Marseille, France) | |
| Born | (1927-10-17)17 October 1927 |
| Died | 21 April 2012(2012-04-21) (aged 84) Marseille, France |
| Occupation(s) | Scuba diver, oceanographer, environmentalist |
| Known for | Chief Diver and Captain ofRV Calypso, Cousteau’sPrécontinent experiments |
| Title | former Chief Diver and Captain ofCalypso |
| Awards | Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (2010) |
Albert Falco (17 October 1927 – 21 April 2012) was a Frenchscuba diver,oceanographer, andenvironmentalist renowned for his 37-year collaboration withJacques-Yves Cousteau.[1][2] As Chief Diver and later Captain of Cousteau’s research vesselRV Calypso, Falco contributed to pioneering underwater exploration and marine conservation. Known as the “first oceanaut” and the “fish-man” for his extensive time underwater, he played key roles in Cousteau’s award-winning films, thePrécontinent underwater habitation experiments, and ocean advocacy efforts. His legacy endures through marine protected areas and his influence on oceanography.[3][4][5] He played several leading roles on Cousteau's films, likeThe Silent World (1956),World Without Sun (1964) andVoyage to the Edge of the World (1976). Falco was the author of a non-fiction book,Capitaine de La Calypso.[6]
Albert Falco was born on 17 October 1927 inMarseille, France, to a family rooted in the Mediterranean coast. Raised in the calanque of Sormiou by his seamstress mother after his father’s death in 1939, Falco developed a deep affinity for the sea, often wearing a blue-and-white striped sailor’s shirt that became his signature. His childhood in Marseille’s rugged coastal inlets fostered skills in navigation and swimming, shaping his future career.[7]
At age 18, on 9 May 1946, Falco suffered a severe injury while assisting deminers in Sormiou to clear World War II explosives. A pen-shaped device detonated, severing four finger segments on his left hand. This injury later complicated his pursuit of formal maritime credentials but did not deter his diving career, as he adapted with remarkable resilience.[3]
Falco’s professional diving began in 1948 at Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, working on a dam project for the Bachet paper mill. Spending 90 hours underwater, he realized his calling, later stating, “I had become almost a fish-man.” In 1950, he sailed to Corsica on theSurcouf, a 6.5-meter fishing boat, showcasing his maritime adventurousness.
In 1952, Falco joinedJacques-Yves Cousteau’s team aboard theRV Calypso for an archaeological dive at the Grand Conglué Roman shipwreck near Marseille. Recommended by Jean Flavien Borelli of the French Federation of Underwater Studies and Sports (FFESSM), Falco’s skills led to a 37-year tenure with Cousteau, evolving from diver to Chief Diver, mission leader, and Captain.[3]
Falco logged over 20,000 hours underwater between 1952 and 1990, earning the nickname “the water god” from Borelli. He starred in Cousteau’s 1955 filmThe Silent World, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and an Academy Award, introducing global audiences to underwater ecosystems. Falco also featured inWorld Without Sun (1964) andVoyage to the Edge of the World (1976), contributing to their scientific and cinematic success.[7]
As Chief Pilot of theSP-350 submersible (“Denise”), Falco conducted over 300 dives in the 1960s across North America, the Antilles, and Cape Verde, advancing Cousteau’s deep-sea research. His technical expertise and on-screen presence made him a cornerstone of the team’s operations.[7]
Falco’s historic contribution was his role in Cousteau’sPrécontinent projects, testing human habitation underwater. In 1962, duringPrécontinent I (“Diogène”) off Marseille, Falco and Claude Wesly lived for seven days at 10 meters, becoming the first “oceanauts.” In 1963,Précontinent II at Shaab Rumi, Sudan, saw Falco live 30 days underwater, documented inWorld Without Sun. He served as safety officer forPrécontinent III in 1965 off Nice, pushing the boundaries of underwater living.[3]
Falco’s hand injury initially barred him from formal maritime command under French regulations. In 1984, after advocacy from Simone Cousteau, he gained co-ownership of theCalypso andEspadon, assuming captaincy on 20 September 1984 in Norfolk, Virginia. Leading theRediscovery of the World expedition, Falco oversaw theCalypso’s 1984 refit in Florida, retiring in 1990 after 37 years aboard.[7]
Post-retirement, Falco lived between Marseille’s Sormiou and Martinique, diving into his 80s and producing films to promote marine ecosystems. His advocacy helped establish marine protected areas, including the “Albert Falco Protected Area” in Sormiou. He authoredCapitaine de la Calypso andLes mémoires de Falco, chef plongeur de la Calypso, sharing his conservation insights.[8]
Falco died on 21 April 2012 in Marseille at age 84. A sea ceremony on 9 May 2012, hosted by theCalanques National Park aboardMS PlanetSolar, was attended byPrince Albert II of Monaco andJean-Michel Cousteau. A private tribute followed in Sormiou’s protected area. The documentaryAlbert Falco L’Océanaute by Sylvain Braun captured his legacy.[3]
Falco was married to Maryvonne Falco, who accompanied him at public events, including the 2021 unveiling of the Albert Falco artificial reef in Monaco, where she joined Prince Albert II for the ceremony. They had one daughter, who remained out of the public eye, reflecting Falco’s preference for privacy. His family life centered around Marseille’s Sormiou calanque, where he maintained a lifelong residence, deeply tied to the Mediterranean’s maritime culture.[9]
Despite a severe hand injury from a 1946 explosion, Falco maintained exceptional physical fitness, enabling him to dive professionally for nearly four decades. His nickname “the fish-man” captured his almost symbiotic bond with the sea, a passion evident in his daily life and environmental advocacy. Jean-Michel Cousteau described Falco as having “never had an enemy,” highlighting his kind and approachable personality, which endeared him to colleagues and communities in Marseille and Martinique.[10]
Falco’s love for adventure extended beyond diving, as he enjoyed sailing and exploring coastal regions. In 2009, he was photographed aboard his boatFleur de Lys, a converted World War II German vessel, which he used for personal expeditions. His modest lifestyle and dedication to marine conservation reflected his belief that “to be happy, one must have a passion in life,” with the sea as his enduring focus.[11]
Former captain of the Calypso, Albert Falco now focuses on the protection of the Massif des Calanques of Marseille and the archipelago of Riou and establishment of marine reserves. At 75, he still dives and monitors the damage caused by pollution in the ecologically impoverished waters of his childhood, which were, only several decades ago, teeming with large and charismatic sea creatures.
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