Historic Jacques Cousteau vessel to be restored by Florida non-profit

A Florida couple has launched an ambitious project to restore one of Jacques Cousteau’s historic vessels, with plans to give the craft a new life as a sustainable research ship.

Kyle and Bethany Gerecke, founders of the non-profit eco-awareness organisation Once Was Lost Stewardship Initiative, discovered the 22-metre catamaran Moulin à Vent (‘windmill’ in French) listed for sale online. 

They instantly recognised it as one of Cousteau’s original research vessels built in the early 1980s

“Having admired Cousteau’s pioneering work, it felt like destiny,” said Kyle. “With stewardship at the core of our organisation’s mission, we saw this as a chance to bring that mission to life - to restore a piece of maritime history and use it once again for good.”

The couple’s non-profit, based in St. Augustine, Florida, began with local beach clean-ups and art projects made from recycled plastic. Over time, it grew into a registered charity focused on recycling, community education and protecting the oceans.

“It all started with our family collecting plastic from local beaches,” said Kyle. “We turned it into artwork and recycled products to show that what’s seen as trash can hold real value. That idea just kept growing.”

The couple have now launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the first stage of the restoration, with an initial goal of $50,000 to make the vessel seaworthy again. Their long-term target is $300,000 to complete the full rebuild.

The crowdfunding campaign ends on November 26, and you can find more information – as well as donate – via the official link. 

“If fully funded, the first phase will take around three months, followed by another six to transform her into a fully operational research and storytelling vessel,” said Kyle. “We’ll be using modern sustainable materials, including recycled plastics from our cleanup work. We want to preserve her character but make her fit for the future.”

The Moulin à Vent was used by Cousteau and his team in the 1980s for marine exploration. 

Once restored, the vessel will become a floating laboratory and educational platform powered by clean energy. It will support marine plastic clean-up, scientific research, and ocean awareness projects across the Atlantic and Caribbean.

“We want the project to be a shared experience,” said Kyle. “We’re organising volunteer work days so people can get involved directly, and those who can’t be there in person can support us online.”

Bethany, who is currently expecting the couple’s sixth child, said Moulin à Vent is just one part of their growing environmental mission.

“We’re also building a recycling centre in Bimini, Bahamas, in partnership with Ocean Aid 360,” she said. “Once that’s running, we hope to equip more islands in the Bahamas with small-scale recycling solutions. Kyle designs and builds the equipment himself, and we’re working with communities across Florida and the Caribbean.”

“Cousteau showed the world the beauty of the ocean,” said Kyle. “Now it’s our turn to protect it.”