Would love to hear some expert advice.

[lockdownking]

As funding slowly becomes available to me, I am interested in finding out all I can on the laws regarding operating a ship/vessel that I can operate in the waters off the Florida coast. Do I need a captains license if I operate my own vessel that is not for hire? There is too much ocean to hire a company to "poke" around the Atlantic in as this would not be cost effective. I would like to purchase a vessel that I can do my own research from. Can someone offer some guidance? Searching for treasure is now in my blood and I cannot shake it.
I expect people to laugh at me, but, it comes with the job of being dedicated to treasure hunting.
What are some tools to think about putting on-board?
What insurance companies offer coverage?
I will keep operations in areas that could be considered dangerous as far as weather issues such as mid-atlantic to near equator and as far East as off the coast of the Western Sahara.
What types of identification should be carried on board for me?


Found this overseas and was thinking it would make an excellent ship for my use.
View attachment 932337

 

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[Whitt]

This is all the ID you will need!

 

[lockdownking]

WooHoo!!!! Thanks Whitt, maybe I should fly this in Florida when looking for treasure, then maybe they will think twice about boarding my vessel.

 

[Mackaydon]

What is your 'end game'?
Are you in this for an adventure first and treasure hunting second, or treasure hunting first that will become an adventure?
If you're in it for treasure hunting, I'd suggest you start with research; not the acquisition of a boat, equipment, etc. And don't be concerned with permits yet; that will be a function of where your research leads you.

Research, equipment and permits are just three of many ingredients that go into a successful treasure hunt. Research is first, which will lead you to a prospective target; that's your second ingredient. Having a target will direct what you do and need next. This list I've mentioned is far from complete, but it may assist you at the beginning.

Don.....

 

[Follows Camp Craig]

Smokey is that you?
Ripoff Report | Pacific Tuna Ventures Complaint Review Corona, California: 275069

 

[lockdownking]

Mackaydon,
My end game is to locate treasure. I have done a lot of research already and I am going on the old "Believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see" type tales that were told during the 15th to 17th centuries combined with the unfortunate circumstances of overloaded ships that were caught with their "hands in the cookie jar". These could include Captains and even some privateers who were concerned of living the good life elsewhere besides Spain when they finished their service and were concerned of not getting their fair share. Why put the booty in a place where they may not be able to get to it at a later date?

 

[allen_idaho]

It is my understanding that you do not need a Captain's License from the USCG if you do not take on passengers for hire.
However, that could come back to bite you in the arse if any sort of accident were to happen involving your vessel.

The reason being that to get an official license, you need both at-sea time and a good level of knowledge about ship safety and operation which is tested in the required exam. It seriously would be in your best interest to get the license. But not required.

Now equipment wise, if you are planning to search for specific vessels, you are going to want a side scan sonar and a good ROV for positive identification purposes.

 

[pvet7521]

the best advice I can give you is to find another hobby, or gear it down a bit. the most fun I ever had treasure hunting was metal detecting on or near shallow wrecks. once you take that leap into a semi professional setup it's no longer fun. the truth of the matter is you will spend much more than you will ever find. the rules of the game have changed , you can't go to arbitration and you don't have a vote. in the end you will be forced to fly the Jolly Roger .

 

[gunsil]

If you're going to get an ocean going boat, you'd better be able to hire a captain and crew unless you have experience running a vessel that size and being able to maintain it. An on-board engineer is a necessity, if those big diesels stop in foul weather you're a goner. This type of ocean going venture isn't something one can jump right into without seafaring experience. You don't need a license to operate one, but I doubt you'll be able to get insurance without a Coast Guard certified captain aboard. It requires a much higher license than the one needed for small boat charter fishing to run an offshore vessel.

 

[lockdownking]

pvet7521,
So basically your saying keep it simple.
Small boat, diving equipment, shallow searches.

 

[pvet7521]

Exactly, the biggest noise draws the biggest attention .

 

[Harold in CR]

In '96, went on a half a$$ed treasure hunt to the Bahamas. While waiting around for the " Rest of the crew", my buddy and I went talking to the Islanders. Typical stuff, know of any cannons-anchors laying on the bottom, etc.

In our search, we were advised to talk to "The Russian", that owned a large part of Nassau. Sorry, can't remember names. Anyway, he had tied up a LOT of ocean bottom, that had numerous wrecks. Problem was, he was having all the cannons brought into the harbor, and dumped in the "Marina" slips.

He was open to negotiations for working the wrecks, once they were "rediscovered". We used to fly in and out of Paradise Island, which was converted to a Casino-Hotel. Now, I believe the only airport is out on the west end of Nassau. We had 3-4 Islanders working with us, and they knew people that had info. The head honcho of this fiasco, was in a bar one night, and, being a sot, he was talking big, blah-blah, etc. A couple of lobster divers approached him and had seen cannons. He offered them $20.00 for the info. They got mad and would not talk. I told him to go back and offer them $200.00 and rip the bills, so if they tried to stick him, he could cash in the bills. Then, pay them the balance when he SAW the cannons. Money talks. Just don't go flashing it around. Take a big rough looking buddy along.

Bahamas is THing friendly, and, there were thousands of wrecks over the years. I would first, go visit and look for Lobster divers. They see everything. Maybe, look for the Russian, if he is still alive.

A lot of the info was Loran numbers. We had marx's notes for a wreck on the edge of the flats on one trip, North of Bimini. 3 sets of Loran numbers. One set of numbers was WAYYYYY off. Capt wasn't interested in chasing those, but, one day, going out of Bimini towards Great Isaac, I po'ed him, so he was going to PROVE to me the numbers were not legit. We threw bouys on the first 2 numbers, and finally there was the third set, WAYYYY off, but, in a direct line with the others.

We set up on the middle set, and opened up a cavernous pit. One of the divers brought up a piece of rope and a CINDER block,NOT a cement block, that was used by Marx, according to his notes.

Both of these operations were Investor scammers. We never SERIOUSLY looked for wrecks, although, my buddy and I were hired to do mostly mag work. We were "working" the very bottom of the island chain, 30 miles from Cuba. We actually went to Cuba, when Bertha was tearing up the "Old Bahama Channel" between Bahama and Cuba. We went into the river and were confined to our boat, until they were convinced we were NOT carrying cargo. The blower threw them as to what it was. later we found out, right outside the mouth of the river, were several cannons.

 

[dennco2000]

If you can get your hands on a 100lbs of uncut crappy gem stones I have a secret how you can get the ball rollng right away.. also I have a treasure map with no numbers lol.

Ok not funny :-)