Odyssey Marine Article...

[Vox veritas]

Captain Vorsus free of charge

http://translate.google.com/transla...LeqM5jZM_C9GSSJ5P62d7sFcVadnFMwgA&sl=es&tl=en

 

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[trinidad]

I bet 1 € that it wont have the same media coverage as the Vorgu´s arrest.

 

[jeff k]

Odyssey's Legal Team Wins Case in Spanish Court Over Blockaded Ship


Press Release Source: Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. On Tuesday August 3, 2010, 7:00 am EDT

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 3, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (Nasdaq:OMEX - News), a pioneer in the field of deep-ocean shipwreck exploration, is pleased to report that Captain Sterling Vorus has been cleared of all charges by a court in Algeciras, Spain relating to the blockade and boarding of the Odyssey Explorer. The Spanish court ruled that Spanish officials did not have proper authorization to board or search Odyssey's ship in 2007.

The court relied on Spanish law that prevents the Guardia Civil from boarding or searching foreign ships without authorization of the captain or the vessel's flag state, which was never obtained. Therefore, Captain Vorus's actions did not rise to the level of illicit conduct contemplated by the portion of the Spanish penal code under which he was charged.

Although the blockade and boarding of Odyssey's vessels were in reaction to Odyssey's "Black Swan" find, the opinion of the court does not specifically reference the "Black Swan." The court's decision is, however, consistent with Odyssey's position that the company has consistently acted legally and appropriately in accordance with all laws and regulations related to the "Black Swan" arrest and recovery. The company believes that justice will ultimately prevail in the "Black Swan" case in the U.S. courts as well and has filed an appeal of the trial court's dismissal of the case, citing a recent appellate decision which held that a sovereign government must be in actual possession of property in order to claim that the property is immune from the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts.

"The Spanish ruling clearing our captain of any wrongdoing is a step in the right direction," stated Melinda MacConnel, Odyssey Vice President and General Counsel. "We are very pleased that the Spanish court ruled based on the facts of the case instead of relying on innuendo and false reports, which instigated the search of our vessels in the first place."

"We hope the court's decision will encourage the development of positive relations with Spanish officials." commented Greg Stemm, Odyssey CEO. "The company is pleased to reiterate its offer to work with the Spanish Government to create a public/private partnership for its nation's shipwreck resources, thereby helping to finance cultural and historical initiatives over the long term."

About the "Black Swan"

In May 2007, Odyssey announced the discovery of the "Black Swan," a Colonial-period site located in the Atlantic Ocean that yielded over 500,000 silver coins weighing more than 17 tons, hundreds of gold coins, worked gold, and other artifacts. Odyssey completed an extensive pre-disturbance survey of the "Black Swan" site, which included recording over 14,000 digital still images used to create a photomosaic of the site.

The coins and artifacts were brought into the United States with a valid export license and imported legally pursuant to U.S. law. Odyssey brought the artifacts under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Federal Court by filing an Admiralty arrest action. This procedure allows any legitimate claimants with an interest in the property to make a claim. For more information on the "Black Swan," visit www.shipwreck.net/blackswan.php.

Captain Vorus

Captain Vorus was arrested by the Spanish Guardia Civil in October 2007, following his refusal to allow the Guardia Civil to forcibly board the Odyssey Explorer in the aftermath of spurious allegations that the ship was involved in illicit activities relating to the "Black Swan." Captain Vorus, a U.S. citizen, was taken into custody and imprisoned by the Spanish Guardia Civil before being released to await a ruling in the case.

 

[inletsurf]

Pound sand, Spain!

 

[dagfoto]

mak'n money when the ship in port !!

I bought 600 shares at 1.06... now pushing 1.35 .. should go higher with more good news

 

[trinidad]

And things will go that way with another trial against Odyssey Marine Explorer that is open in the town of La Linea. Just two weeks ago, a court document of the High Court deputy prosecutor, filed proceedings in the XXXX case, considering that the facts alleged by the YYYY does not constitute a crime. The prosecution believes they have not been credited the allegations made by the YYYYY, which in their opinion, provided "as proof of mere photocopies of newspaper innuendo." Well, as far as I know, in the case against OME in La Linea, the proofs were exactly the same:newspapers´photocopies.

 

[jeff k]

Trinidad... As I recall, the La Linea case was brought by the former mayor of La Linea. He was later forced to resign, because of a "shady" property deal.

 

[trinidad]

Well, there were a bunch of people who push the case in La Linea, finally opened by the Cadiz´s deputy prosecutor. Some local politicians, some silver haired local warrior and a little archaeological company from Malaga, which owners put a particular accusation against OME in this case (this gave then some local and press popularity and free access to the trial documentation) and were for a while on the papers saying, let say, curious things about OME and G. Stemm.

 

[trinidad]

Jeff K, what about a translation to spanish of this:

http://www.shipwreck.net/pdf/OMEPapers13-UNESCO.pdf

 

[jeff k]

I was not aware of this paper. I'll see if Odyssey has a Spanish version.

Here's a Google translation, but the words overlap, and I see some was not translated.

http://translate.google.com/transla...EPapers13-UNESCO.pdf&sl=en&tl=es&hl=&ie=UTF-8

P.S. Sometimes the whole file is translated.

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

Ladies and gentlemen: I am a bit lost, but just who is supposed to finance these explorations if they are to be based entirely with archaeological teams, and supposedly no lucrative motives involved?? Sort of a modern day version of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

As I understand it, even with just today's known wrecks, it would take a thousand years to successfully investigate them, if only a year was dedicated to each, including search time, both in records and physical on the spot search/work.. In the meanwhile mother nature has a curious way of destroying or simply hiding things that are in the sea.

Besides, just how many museums or exhibits would be able to use or display the mountains of artifacts? Wouldn't the public simply become just jaded with overkill?

Do I detect developing a job security program for the future graduating Marine Archaeologists, or simply a bit of avariciousness, Curious??

Don Jose de La Mancha

 

[Salvor6]

Don Jose, the academic archaeologists rely on taxpayer dollars to finance their excavations. Thats right, WE pay their salary so they can take up to 10 years to excavate ONE shipwreck with a spoon and toothpick. And us treasure hunters are too ignorant to understand the cultural significance of a shipwreck. We are just after the gold. So they would rather see a wreck disappear than see us excavate it. Thats how they think and thats why they will not issue salvage permits to treasure hunting companys.

 

[MORE AND BEYOND OSSY]

Don Jose, " Besides, just how many museums or exhibits would be able to use or display the mountains of artifacts?
Wouldn't the public simply become just jaded with overkill " Wise words Don Jose.
But what would the mountains of artifacts and especially coins do to the price?? if sold to collectors?
Ossy

 

[MORE AND BEYOND OSSY]

Odyssey's Legal Team Wins Case in Spanish Court Over Blockaded Ship


Press Release Source: Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. On Tuesday August 3, 2010, 7:00 am EDT

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 3, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (Nasdaq:OMEX - News), a pioneer in the field of deep-ocean shipwreck exploration, is pleased to report that Captain Sterling Vorus has been cleared of all charges by a court in Algeciras, Spain relating to the blockade and boarding of the Odyssey Explorer. The Spanish court ruled that Spanish officials did not have proper authorization to board or search Odyssey's ship in 2007.

The court relied on Spanish law that prevents the Guardia Civil from boarding or searching foreign ships without authorization of the captain or the vessel's flag state, which was never obtained. Therefore, Captain Vorus's actions did not rise to the level of illicit conduct contemplated by the portion of the Spanish penal code under which he was charged.

Although the blockade and boarding of Odyssey's vessels were in reaction to Odyssey's "Black Swan" find, the opinion of the court does not specifically reference the "Black Swan." The court's decision is, however, consistent with Odyssey's position that the company has consistently acted legally and appropriately in accordance with all laws and regulations related to the "Black Swan" arrest and recovery. The company believes that justice will ultimately prevail in the "Black Swan" case in the U.S. courts as well and has filed an appeal of the trial court's dismissal of the case, citing a recent appellate decision which held that a sovereign government must be in actual possession of property in order to claim that the property is immune from the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts.

"The Spanish ruling clearing our captain of any wrongdoing is a step in the right direction," stated Melinda MacConnel, Odyssey Vice President and General Counsel. "We are very pleased that the Spanish court ruled based on the facts of the case instead of relying on innuendo and false reports, which instigated the search of our vessels in the first place."

"We hope the court's decision will encourage the development of positive relations with Spanish officials." commented Greg Stemm, Odyssey CEO. "The company is pleased to reiterate its offer to work with the Spanish Government to create a public/private partnership for its nation's shipwreck resources, thereby helping to finance cultural and historical initiatives over the long term."

About the "Black Swan"

In May 2007, Odyssey announced the discovery of the "Black Swan," a Colonial-period site located in the Atlantic Ocean that yielded over 500,000 silver coins weighing more than 17 tons, hundreds of gold coins, worked gold, and other artifacts. Odyssey completed an extensive pre-disturbance survey of the "Black Swan" site, which included recording over 14,000 digital still images used to create a photomosaic of the site.

The coins and artifacts were brought into the United States with a valid export license and imported legally pursuant to U.S. law. Odyssey brought the artifacts under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Federal Court by filing an Admiralty arrest action. This procedure allows any legitimate claimants with an interest in the property to make a claim. For more information on the "Black Swan," visit www.shipwreck.net/blackswan.php.

Captain Vorus

Captain Vorus was arrested by the Spanish Guardia Civil in October 2007, following his refusal to allow the Guardia Civil to forcibly board the Odyssey Explorer in the aftermath of spurious allegations that the ship was involved in illicit activities relating to the "Black Swan." Captain Vorus, a U.S. citizen, was taken into custody and imprisoned by the Spanish Guardia Civil before being released to await a ruling in the case.

Jeff, maybe the time is right for Spain to do a deal with Odyssey, and work together !
What both sides have done so far, is not working.
Ossy

 

[jeff k]

Ossy... If the Spanish people only knew what Odyssey offered to do for Spain, they would tar & feather the narrow minded archaeologists that refused to work with them. Not only would Spain get all the culturally important artifacts, but Odyssey would have shared all their survey work with them. All this at no cost to Spain. Instead, Spain is now spending millions of dollars in legal fees, and future conservation costs of any artifacts they are awarded. Talk about a no-brainer.

 

[MORE AND BEYOND OSSY]

Jeff, lets hope they both learn from their mistakes !
Ossy

 

[trinidad]

I also cant believe it! Ossy proposing a deal beetween OME and Spain! Gosh, as the song says, "things are changing". Lets see if this is contagious and future go straight and we all can see the best deep sea underwater archaeology with the best tech support. Maybe, some day, a spanish people (or archaeologist) could say laud and claire that OME could be not the evil and not get insulted, isolated and banned from the "academia".

 

[jeff k]

Trinidad... Things may be changing.

"In the meantime, Odyssey is changing the landscape, publishing reports and submitting them to public scrutiny. This is a development that we should follow closely. In documenting and publishing their salvage operations, they are placing themselves above the archaeologists that do not publish their excavations on the archaeology decency scale. Having spent the best part of the last two decades complaining against treasure hunter’s secrecy, I applaud Odyssey’s new policy and look forward to starting a constructive dialogue, solidly based on printed and published reports. In a democratic world we may all disagree, but we must acknowledge the opinions of our opponents and take close note when they use private resources that are of public interest and benefit."

Filipe Castro
Frederick R. Mayer Faculty Professor II of Nautical Archaeology, Nautical Archaeology Program, Texas A&M University, USA

"Mientras tanto, la Odisea está cambiando el paisaje, informes de publicación y los está sometiendo al escrutinio público. Éste es un desarrollo que debemos seguir de cerca. En la documentación y la publicación de sus operaciones del salvamento, se están colocando sobre los arqueólogos que no publican sus excavaciones en la escala de la decencia de la arqueología. Pasando la mejor parte de las dos décadas pasadas que se quejan contra el secreto del cazador de tesoro, aplaudo la nueva política de la Odisea y miro adelante a comenzar un diálogo constructivo, basado sólidamente en informes impresos y publicados. En un mundo democrático podemos todos discrepar, pero debemos reconocer las opiniones de nuestros opositores y tomar la nota cercana cuando utilizan los recursos privados que están de interés público y de ventaja."

 

[mariner]

Jeff,

there were many of us who were admirers of Odyssey until they did the smash and grab raid on the Black Swan. I am glad to see them reverting back to legitimate tactics, and wish them well again. As I have said before, while I disapproved of their methods, the Mercedes should not enjoy the status of a Sovereign Vessel, because it was on a partly commercial mission, and Odyssey should therefore be entitled to receive a substantial salvage award.

Mariner

 

[jeff k]

Jeff,

there were many of us who were admirers of Odyssey until they did the smash and grab raid on the Black Swan. I am glad to see them reverting back to legitimate tactics, and wish them well again. As I have said before, while I disapproved of their methods, the Mercedes should not enjoy the status of a Sovereign Vessel, because it was on a partly commercial mission, and Odyssey should therefore be entitled to receive a substantial salvage award.

Mariner

Smash and grab? The coins were just sitting on the bottom in full view. All they did was pick up the coins. What would you have done?