EARLY 1980s
THE TURBOSAIL PROGRAM
Cousteau–Pechiney research moves from wind-tunnel development toward a full-scale experimental vessel.
LOCATION25°03.416′ N / 080°27.192′ WSTATUS / ANCHORED
HISTORY // MOULIN À VENT
AN EXPERIMENT
THAT SURVIVED.
ARCHIVAL HISTORY / DEVELOPING RECORD
Moulin à Vent was the full-scale experimental platform for the early Cousteau–Pechiney Turbosail program. This hub connects the vessel’s technical record, 1983 Atlantic passage, relationship to Alcyone, later survival and modern rediscovery.
01 / CHRONOLOGY
THE RECORD, IN CONTEXT.
1982–1983
MOULIN À VENT
Bureau Mauric's retrospective identifies the catamaran as the prototype Turbosail platform used for trials near Marseille and in the Mediterranean.
1983
THE ATLANTIC EXPERIMENT
The prototype sails from Tangier through severe weather near Bermuda and continues to Norfolk after the experimental mast is lost.
1985
ALCYONE
A purpose-built expedition ship carries the Turbosail concept into operational service.
LATER YEARS
SURVIVAL
Moulin à Vent changes hands, is modified and gradually disappears from public view.
CURRENT
REAWAKENING
The surviving vessel is being documented and prepared for reconstruction as a new research, conservation and expedition platform.
02 / HISTORICAL RESOURCES
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE.
01 / HISTORY RECORDREAD THE RECORD →02 / HISTORY RECORDREAD THE RECORD →03 / HISTORY RECORDREAD THE RECORD →04 / HISTORY RECORDREAD THE RECORD →05 / HISTORY RECORDREAD THE RECORD →
WHAT HAPPENED TO MOULIN À VENT?
Trace what is known about Moulin à Vent after Cousteau's 1983 Turbosail experiment, from the Atlantic crossing to the vessel's survival and rediscovery.
THE TURBOSAIL EXPLAINED.
Understand the Cousteau–Pechiney Turbosail, its aspirated-cylinder principle, the Moulin à Vent prototype and the transition to Alcyone.
THE 1983 TRANSATLANTIC VOYAGE.
Follow the documented 1983 Atlantic experiment of Moulin à Vent from Tangier through severe weather near Bermuda to Norfolk, Virginia.
MOULIN À VENT AND ALCYONE.
Learn how the experimental work aboard Moulin à Vent informed Alcyone, Cousteau's purpose-built Turbosail expedition vessel.
THE REDISCOVERY OF MOULIN À VENT.
Discover how the surviving Moulin à Vent was identified in Florida and why the historic Turbosail prototype is being preserved for a new mission.
ARCHIVE / VISUAL RECORD
HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS.
Explore surviving photographs documenting Moulin à Vent, the Turbosail experiment and the vessel's early history.
EXPLORE THE PHOTOGRAPHS →ARCHIVE / ORIGINAL SOURCESHISTORICAL DOCUMENTS.
Inspect technical papers, contemporary reporting, vessel records and retrospective sources documenting Moulin à Vent and the Turbosail program.
EXPLORE THE DOCUMENTS →