Historians and Treasure Hunters: If there were no legal hurdles for you to worry about, where would you go first for Shipwrecks?

[Ex Nafragiis Venit Aurum]

This may be difficult to believe, but my cofounder and I have found a way around the UNESCO accords and have built strong 'top down' relationships with multiple countries in the Caribbean and Latin America.

We are creating a TV show about real life treasure hunting. We've been working on this quietly for the past 4 years, amassing the right contacts, getting our ducks in a row, etc.

I am the creative side, the dreamer, who goes out of his way to find incredible people to work with. My cofounder is the business side, the shrewd bulldog with connections to the money and even stronger connections in geopolitics to help us cut through red tape.

When we first began this journey I knew almost nothing about this industry, I was just a producer working with 'treasure/scavenger' themed Youtubers. I had a lot to learn, but luckily I had the right people in my network to help me learn.

I can guarantee anyone in this thread who has reputable projects worth doing, unrestricted access in the following countries if they are working with us:

-Mexico
-Bahamas
-Trinidad & Tobago
-Haiti
-Dominican Republic
-Vieques

For the right opportunity we can potentially expand this list.

After season 1 I am hoping to add South Korea and China to this list, potentially Poland and England as well. The goal of this television show is to become an international phenomenon.

Production: We are working with the production company responsible for the longest running TV show in Cable television history

Money is all accounted for. We have a number of potential projects we are currently considering for season 1 - but are on the lookout for a few more.

So the purpose of this thread is for people who know people to share this with them, or for people who have worthwhile SHIPWRECK related projects to contact me and begin the vetting process.

That's it. That's the post. If you have treasure bearing shipwrecks to track down - contact me. Let's make it happen.

 

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[Mackaydon]

Providing "unrestricted access" (which requires a permit) is only one aspect of a shipwreck project; and by itself is worthless (IMO).unless there is a critical path to exploit the site. This includes (as examples):
1. A contract showing a front-end fee (call it a Bonus if you wish) to the project concept originator (in case the project doesn't have the 'legs' to get off the ground).
2. Definition of the Net Dispersible Income (and allowed expenses, including salaries, etc.)
3. If this venture is only photographic other conditions will be included.
4. If this venture is to search, salvage and distribute shipwreck valuables--then an executed contract with the country which terms will also include the ability to freely export the valuables out of the country with the payment of a stated tax or no tax.
5. If merchandise, media revenue and etc. are considered, what is the originator's percentage?
That's enough for now.
Don in SoCal

 

[dowser]

Is this a totally new startup? Is there a salvage ship, divers, or past experience in Shipwreck salvage?

 

[RGINN]

I would probably go to the ocean to look for a shipwreck. Great Lakes might be cool to check out. But good luck with your TV show, which would most likely end each episode with 'Well we didn't find it this time...'

 

[freeman]

Unfortunately 'Shipwreck' your TV production concept seems to be have already been done.

Take a ticket and join the line behind the others who have already sold their version to the production channels, have had them shown and then onsold the show to the 2nd tier streaming services.

Good luck anyway, I know how hard it is to get an idea greenlit: plenty of promises about being interested but zero follow through.

 

[Ex Nafragiis Venit Aurum]

Providing "unrestricted access" (which requires a permit) is only one aspect of a shipwreck project; and by itself is worthless (IMO).unless there is a critical path to exploit the site. This includes (as examples):
1. A contract showing a front-end fee (call it a Bonus if you wish) to the project concept originator (in case the project doesn't have the 'legs' to get off the ground).
2. Definition of the Net Dispersible Income (and allowed expenses, including salaries, etc.)
3. If this venture is only photographic other conditions will be included.
4. If this venture is to search, salvage and distribute shipwreck valuables--then an executed contract with the country which terms will also include the ability to freely export the valuables out of the country with the payment of a stated tax or no tax.
5. If merchandise, media revenue and etc. are considered, what is the originator's percentage?
That's enough for now.
Don in SoCal

All of these things can and will be addressed with treasure hunters/historians with projects worth exploring. These things have already come up with some of the people we are already going to be working with.

 

[Ex Nafragiis Venit Aurum]

Is this a totally new startup? Is there a salvage ship, divers, or past experience in Shipwreck salvage?

Both my cofounder and I have zero reputation in this business - but the people we have brought up so far have a combined history of over 150 years in this business. Eventually I'll be able to disclose some of the names - but for now, you'll just have to wait and see. We've taken the time to do this right!

 

[Ex Nafragiis Venit Aurum]

Unfortunately 'Shipwreck' your TV production concept seems to be have already been done.

Take a ticket and join the line behind the others who have already sold their version to the production channels, have had them shown and then onsold the show to the 2nd tier streaming services.

Good luck anyway, I know how hard it is to get an idea greenlit: plenty of promises about being interested but zero follow through.


View attachment 2179937

The shipwrecks in the Caribbean will be far more exciting than those in England or Australia.

 

[dowser]

Both my cofounder and I have zero reputation in this business - but the people we have brought up so far have a combined history of over 150 years in this business. Eventually I'll be able to disclose some of the names - but for now, you'll just have to wait and see. We've taken the time to do this right!

I got diving certified, right after being in the Navy in 81, because of an interest in Shipwrecks. But never dove in the ocean..
They let our Navy ship ride through a hurricane, and that was no fun!!

 

[Mackaydon]

The 'UNESCO accords' is only one hurdle; there are many more in each country. For example, in Mexico, you will need the permission of Mexico's National Archaeological Institute (INAH). In the US (California), you will need the permission of the State Lands Commission and several others.
Fat chance of getting either authority to approve a salvage and division project.

You state: "Money is all accounted for." Really? Without even knowing the cost of a project?

You will need a Business Plan. Please provide our members with a copy of redacted Business Plan for one of your 'being considered' projects.

Did you think this would be easy?
Don in SoCal

 

[freeman]

The 'UNESCO accords' is only one hurdle; there are many more in each country. For example, in Mexico, you will need the permission of Mexico's National Archaeological Institute (INAH). In the US (California), you will need the permission of the State Lands Commission and several others.
Fat chance of getting either authority to approve a salvage and division project.

You state: "Money is all accounted for." Really? Without even knowing the cost of a project?

You will need a Business Plan. Please provide our members with a copy of redacted Business Plan for one of your 'being considered' projects.

Did you think this would be easy?
Don in SoCal

This is true but we all tend to go into treasure hunter mode and think from that angle about what is required when assessing these 'wanted for a TV series' postings.

This isn't a proposal for some enterprise recovering a wreck, it's for a TV series.

In the end the main object of it all is just to produce content for a show; that's all the commissioning channel is interested in.

The budget and production schedule then limits how long you have at each of the locations to do things.

You know, they fly somewhere and hire a boat for the cast and a camera crew for a day or so.

The A camera crew goes out and shoots the divers swimming around and pointing at things. Perhaps they pick up a nail or two or an interesting piece of something that can be speculated about.

Meanwhile the B camera crew is ashore shooting vistas of the town and getting the local Popeye to tell the story of the wreck.

That afternoon the production team checks they have enough footage then everyone hits the hotel bar before hopping on the plane in the morning to fly to the next shoot location.

 

[releventchair]

T.V. treasure on wrecks show.
There's a bad idea for someone sitting on a treasure.

Meanwhile in the world of actual quality video productions , archives hold evidence of a very different approach than fishing on the internet forums.



To answer the question of where? Cuba.

 

[Ex Nafragiis Venit Aurum]

The 'UNESCO accords' is only one hurdle; there are many more in each country. For example, in Mexico, you will need the permission of Mexico's National Archaeological Institute (INAH). In the US (California), you will need the permission of the State Lands Commission and several others.
Fat chance of getting either authority to approve a salvage and division project.

You state: "Money is all accounted for." Really? Without even knowing the cost of a project?

You will need a Business Plan. Please provide our members with a copy of redacted Business Plan for one of your 'being considered' projects.

Did you think this would be easy?
Don in SoCal

1. We have top down relations with the heads of each country listed in the original post. Any project we want to do, we will do.

2. Sorry our business plan is for potential partner's eyes only. Nothing personal - take my word for it, we spent 4 years getting ourselves organized.

3. As far as money goes - yeah. Quite certain we will have more than enough to cover expenses of first projects - and our business model is far better than anything done before in this field. We've spent close to a million in legal fees just to make sure this is air tight and organized well enough to succeed. We know what we're doing. I've told you as much as I can here - if you have a project worth doing, reach out and let's take conversations further!

 

[Ex Nafragiis Venit Aurum]

This is true but we all tend to go into treasure hunter mode and think from that angle about what is required when assessing these 'wanted for a TV series' postings.

This isn't a proposal for some enterprise recovering a wreck, it's for a TV series.

In the end the main object of it all is just to produce content for a show; that's all the commissioning channel is interested in.

The budget and production schedule then limits how long you have at each of the locations to do things.

You know, they fly somewhere and hire a boat for the cast and a camera crew for a day or so.

The A camera crew goes out and shoots the divers swimming around and pointing at things. Perhaps they pick up a nail or two or an interesting piece of something that can be speculated about.

Meanwhile the B camera crew is ashore shooting vistas of the town and getting the local Popeye to tell the story of the wreck.

That afternoon the production team checks they have enough footage then everyone hits the hotel bar before hopping on the plane in the morning to fly to the next shoot location.

While it's true that the TV show is one of the main points to this - we do intend to find treasure on camera (not gonna fake it) and monetize those finds even further.

In my 4 years of learning about this industry - I have met with a lot of people who can spin a good yarn about treasure, but in the end they were liars, idiots, dreamers. Others were certainly competent at finding treasure consistently, but they didn't care to do things legally, or blocked every attempt to partner with others on projects. "I won't work with you if you're talking to so and so, they made me mad 30 years ago I don't trust them"

We only want to work with professionals who know what they're doing, and have the common sense to let us do what we know how to do - make everyone money and protect everyone legally.

 

[Ex Nafragiis Venit Aurum]

T.V. treasure on wrecks show.
There's a bad idea for someone sitting on a treasure.

Meanwhile in the world of actual quality video productions , archives hold evidence of a very different approach than fishing on the internet forums.



To answer the question of where? Cuba.

Those days are long gone - the future is now old man