Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Explorations Shipwreck revealed.

[alpha105]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

Wow thats rediculous. I think that if the spanish government really wanted it....they shoulda been the ones to find it.......its been how many years yet a reasonably new company (given the timeframe) is the one to find it. Obviously it was abandoned by the spanish govt and should belong to the odyssey crew. They should fight it as abandoned property.

 

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[jeff of pa]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

as somone said Elswhere, IF Orderd to return it all.
Return it to the spot they got it. Not to spain.

I Know this will be an Unpopular opinion,
but I'm hoping The Judge Says it stays in the U.S.

of course I guess that would just tie it up in Appeals.

 

[wreckdiver1715]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

as somone said Elswhere, IF Orderd to return it all.
Return it to the spot they got it. Not to spain.

I Know this will be an Unpopular opinion,
but I'm hoping The Judge Says it stays in the U.S.

of course I guess that would just tie it up in Appeals.

I'm with you on that sentiment Jeff, and it would not be the first time that treasure was sent back to the bottom by a treasure hunter. However, I am sure that cooler heads will prevail. The normal split in a situation like this is that 20% will go to the owner or country of origin, and the salvor will take 80% back to Tampa. That is of course, only if Spain can prove it's case in court.

Tom

 

[alpha105]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

Anything is better than nothing IMO.....but its still wrong....abandoned property

 

[jeff of pa]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

Odyssey's Response

Odyssey Marine Exploration Responds To Recent Media Reports Following the Spanish Government's "Black Swan" Press Conference​

Tampa, FL - May 8, 2008 - Following a significant amount of international media coverage based on a press conference held by the Spanish Ministry of Culture in Madrid on May 8, 2008, Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (NasdaqCM: OMEX) wishes to publicly address the most frequently asked questions by media and the public.

To clarify, Odyssey was not in attendance at the press conference, which was presided over by representatives of the Spanish government as well as Spain's legal counsel. Our statements are therefore based on media reports of the actual event and Spain's Responses to the Court's Interrogatories that Spain filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on May 8, 2008.

What is Odyssey's point of view regarding Spain's definitive statement that the site code-named "Black Swan" is that of the "Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes y las Animas"?

Although Odyssey has identified the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes y las Animas (the "Mercedes") as a working hypothesis as to a vessel that could be related to the "Black Swan" site, the Company does not believe there is sufficient evidence to conclusively prove that the site is indeed related to the Mercedes or any other ship, and as we have previously mentioned, there is no hull of a shipwreck at this site. What we have found to date is apparently a cargo from a shipwreck as opposed to an actual vessel. It is surprising to us that the Spanish representatives who have viewed the photomosaics are not aware of this if they have any experience with shipwreck sites.

It is also surprising that the Kingdom of Spain has asserted conclusively ("without a doubt") that the "Black Swan" treasure is from the Mercedes after viewing site photomosaics and video that show no hull, ballast pile, keel or vessel, and only a statistically insignificant sample of the coins from the site. We believe that the scientific process, archaeological integrity, and historical accuracy are not served by jumping to conclusions and confirming the identity without conclusive proof.

Does Odyssey have a claim to the treasure if the "Black Swan" is indeed the "Mercedes"?

If the "Black Swan" coins are determined to be from the Mercedes, based on our extensive archival historical research, archaeological assessments and thorough legal analysis the Company is confident in its legal position. Of course, it is up to the U.S. District Court to determine the final disposition of the "Black Swan" treasure.

Can you address Spain's accusations of Odyssey "disturbing war graves"?

Odyssey deeply respects the maritime heritage of all nations and the final resting place of any sailors or passengers that may have perished in a shipwreck. However, in the case of the "Black Swan", no vessel and no human remains have been located, a fact that the Spanish experts are well aware of. If indeed it is confirmed that this site is related to the Mercedes, the ship was lost over 200 years ago and if the hull is ever actually located, it is unlikely that any human remains will be found at the site. Nevertheless, Odyssey agrees that all sites should be treated with respect and proper archaeological protocols, which have been carefully observed in the case of the "Black Swan" site.

Is Odyssey willing to settle the "Black Swan" case with Spain?

Odyssey has previously proposed to the Spanish Government on numerous occasions that Spanish archaeologists be allowed to participate in any expeditions that seek to explore shipwrecks which may be of Spanish historical interest.

As with our previous projects, including the SS Republic and HMS Sussex, Odyssey is diligent about notifying potential claimants when the ship's identity is determined. When, and if, Spain is determined to have a claim or cultural interest in any shipwreck, Odyssey would propose to enter a relationship just as it has on previous projects.

There have been some individuals that have been working hard to vilify Odyssey rather than acknowledging our company's repeated attempts to cooperate with Spain in any finds that may involve Spanish heritage. Odyssey has been and continues to be a steward of history. We bring stories of great cultural and historical significance to life, and we have always conducted our operations with archaeological integrity and technology that surpasses the capacities of many academic and governmental institutions.

Odyssey will continue to offer cooperation with Spain and any other government or potential owners of shipwrecks or cargo - and we hope that those who are concerned about underwater cultural heritage will see past the false representations about us by some who have a vested interest in seeing that Spain and Odyssey do not work together.

About Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.

Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (NasdaqCM: OMEX) is engaged in the exploration of deep-water shipwrecks and uses innovative methods and state-of-the-art technology to conduct extensive deep-ocean search and archaeological recovery operations around the world. Odyssey discovered the Civil War era shipwreck of the SS Republic in 2003 and recovered over 50,000 coins and 14,000 artifacts from the site nearly 1,700 feet deep. In May 2007, the Company announced the largest historic deep-ocean treasure recovery of over 500,000 silver and gold coins, weighing 17 tons, from a Colonial era site code-named "Black Swan." Odyssey has several shipwreck projects in various stages of development around the world.

Odyssey offers various ways to share in the excitement of deep-ocean exploration by making shipwreck treasures and artifacts available to collectors, the general public and students through its webstore, exhibits, books, videos, merchandise, and educational programs. Odyssey's "SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure" exhibit recently ended its successful seven month engagement at the Tampa Museum of Science and Industry and is currently on display at the Detroit Science Center. For details on the Company's activities and its commitment to the preservation of maritime heritage please visit www.shipwreck.net.

For additional information, please contact Natja Igney, Odyssey's Manager of Corporate Communications, at 813-876-1776 ext. 2553.


# # #

® SS Republic is a registered trademark of Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.

Odyssey Marine Exploration believes the information set forth in this Press Release may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Certain factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are set forth in "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

[Ramapirate]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

If I had to give it back I'd load it up in a fertilizer spreader and shoot it all out in a 20 mile radius of the shipwreck site.
I think that is a crock!!! Finders keepers. This makes me sick everytime I read about it. When's the last time Spain had a good old fashioned butt kicking? Been sitting out there in the ocean for hundreds of years, Spain hadn't spent a nickel to find it, now that it's found, they have to give it to them? Forget that!! This ain't over by a longshot...

Sorry, sometimes I just get ANGRY!!!

Ramapirate

 

[alpha105]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

If I had to give it back I'd load it up in a fertilizer spreader and shoot it all out in a 20 mile radius of the shipwreck site.
I think that is a crock!!! Finders keepers. This makes me sick everytime I read about it. When's the last time Spain had a good old fashioned butt kicking? Been sitting out there in the ocean for hundreds of years, Spain hadn't spent a nickel to find it, now that it's found, they have to give it to them? Forget that!! This ain't over by a longshot...

Sorry, sometimes I just get ANGRY!!!

Ramapirate

Basically well stated

 

[Philvis]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

As I said on a different topic, if the present Spanish government is able to lay claim to something that was under a different government 200 years ago, then the Peruvian and Ecuadorian governments should be able to open a counterclaim against Spain being it was their gold/silver that was pillaged by the Spanish these coins were minted from. If things go against Odyssey, I would definitely repatriate the coins recreating a miles long debris trail. Let the Spanish government spend their own dime to get it.

 

[bradyboy]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

anyone here like me have money invested in this possible train wreck?

 

[GOLDandSilver]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

TECHNICALLY the treasure belongs NOT to Spain but to the people the Spanish STOLE it from in the first place. It's not like all the gold and silver just hopped onto a ship...it sure takes ballz to go to court over stuff you weren't looking for, were not sure was lost, BUT if it was, you stole it anyway.

I hope they don't win, and if they do win I hope the treasure company lobs Spain's percent right back where they found it and let Spain retrieve it, OR they argue in court that if they MUST give back a percent that they return it to whom the Spaniards stole it from...teach those greedy governments from crying foul everytime a treasure company finds something after years and millions of expense of looking for it.

 

[alpha105]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

To those who say it belongs to the original owners.....i would have to disagree. Not fully but i would. Possession being 9/10 of the law and the fact that When people mine/pan for gold aside from taxes they are allowed to keep said finds. How is this truly that different. They were given possible locations and set up charts to course for the debree, they found it, and "prospected" it. It belongs to the people currently in possession. If i were to spend money to get the information of a mining area, and possibly some to actually do the mining, i'll be damned if im giving it up.

 

[bradyboy]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

Finders Keepers
So, were supposed to hand over the find to a country that had no interest in searching for and spending the millions it takes to locate a wreck, regardless of the potential profit.
Not to mention the international waters and recovery rules
As it is, its believed to be either voluntarily abandoned over board or stolen to begin with, not confirmed at this time
So Spain would prefer to lay in wait for the many hunters to spend all there time and money and then wait for the opportunity shows its face, claim the wreck and claim victory
Question - so if Spain is awarded a percentage of the claim, will they also deduct the cost to find the claim, with interest?
sorry, but BS
Does this make any sense
Brady

 

[Brett2259]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

Tell Spain that S_Mart is having a sale on diving equipment. Shop Smart....Shop S_Mart.

 

[pegleglooker]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

Hello all,
Hey alpha105 you are right about possesion being 9/10ths of the law. However, I think all the anger towards Spain is in the fact that just about anything under the water they seem to claim. So just to pi$$ them off, I agree with all the other people here in the sense that it " really " belongs to the native people that were killed and enslaved for " the glory of Spain ". I think if I was a retired lawyer in any of the countries that Spain abused I would wait till the Spanish case is done and then go after them not for just this wreck... but for all the wrecks containing the gold and gems that were obtained from the backs of my people. In saying this, you're right alpha105 about the type of treasure that one " prospects". This treasure comes from nature not from the labor of native peoples. Just my 2 cents...

PLL

 

[cuzcosquirrel]

Re: Identity of Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck revealed.

The ship might have turned over and dropped everything, and then the rest of the wood refloated or veered off to settle in another location. The Altas project over the Sussex might be the same kind of deal: The Sussex tipped and threw a bunch of her guns out the side, but then finally settled in a different area. I think Spain appears over-eager to get whatever it can in these cases, and appears to want a piece of the Sussex, which is not their ship.