The Water Diviner

Fabien Cousteau has a prediction: Science and innovation, with human determination, can save the planet’s oceans.

- Darren Ho

FABIEN COUSTEAU LOOKS particularly comfortable sitting in the captain’s chair of the Ian Mitchell-designed Asean Lady, which is unique in the world for its proa-based design that dates back to 2,000 years ago. You could put a captain’s hat on him and he’d fit right in. In his case, a red beanie might be more apt, given his grandfather was the renowned Jacques-Yves Cousteau, one of the inventors of the Aqua-lung, which we commonly call regulators in open-circuit scuba gear. He started diving at the age of four, when his grandfather customised a special miniature underwater breathing apparatus for him. In fact, he often remarks that he feels far more comfortable underwater than on land.

In town in April to officiate at the International Seakeepers Society Asia Awards Dinner, Cousteau presented two prizes to Francis Lee and Stephen Beng for their efforts in marine conservation and protection of the country’s natural water resources. Back in the 1980s, Lee founded the Singapore Reef and Marine Conservation Committee and helped to establish our first marine park in 2014. It covers 40 hectares and includes Sisters’ Islands, St John’s Island and Pulau Tekukor. Beng, who chairs the Marine Conservation Group of the Nature Society, Singapore, represented the group to receive the Seakeepers Asia Achievement Award 2017.