Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. v. The Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel
Filing
25
AMENDED COMPLAINT against The Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel filed by Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Sworn Statement of Greg Stemm - Part 1# 2 Sworn Statement of Greg Stemm - Part 2)(Von Spiegelfeld, Allen)
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. v. The Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel
Doc. 25 Att. 1
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
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Page 1 of 52
ENGLISH TRASLATION
Don Julian Marinez Garcia Director General de Bellas Ares y Bienes Cultuales
Misterio de Cultua
Plaza del Rey 1 ,
Planta baja
July 6,
28071 Madrid
2007
Dear Mr. Director General
Durng the last nie
out every
years
Odyssey Mare Exploration, Inc. (OME) has cared
tye of effort available to resolve with the Spansh and Andalusian
authorities , of course, the foreseeable differences that could arse in relation to its HMS Sussex Project (Alboran Sea) with the best spirt of cooperation. Aside from this OME has offered its best collaboration with these authorities on the understading that it could offer important help in the study, location and defence of Spansh underwater cultual heritage in varous seas, with its best archaeological know-how. You are an exceptional witness to the position of OME in which my colleague Mare Rogers as well as myself, as the lawyers designated by OMB, have placed our hopes and efforts, along with the representatives of the US and the UK Embassies in Madrd.
Due to the latest developments in the "Black Swan Project" in waters of the Atlantic and beyond any Spansh waters whatsoever, and in that the Spansh governent lacks at this time any indication of a legal basis to lay claim to the cargo found, some Spansh authorities at a very high level have maitained diffcult to explain suspicions of ilegal conduct on the par of OME. They have described the most transparent conduct oftms entity, from a legal point of view as well as an archaeological (that is otherwise evident), in very serious terms of
ilegality and even crie
, makg formal accusations before the Spansh cours
when it is evident to us, I repeat, that they do not possess even a confation or proof in respect to the identity of the vessel carring the cargo given that even OME who is investigating this in detail lacks sufcient indications of ths. Such an offcial stace and the violent and unjust echo that has been produced in the national and international press , demonstrating in many instances total iresponsibilty, have damaged the image and doubtless prestige of OME.
mium
OME on the other hand has not had the opportuty to defend itself given that the proceedings have been declared secret and the Cour of La Linea has rejected our offer of evidence , clarifcations and most transparent collaboration retuing to us the pleadings to appear in the proceedings and the proposal of evidence without even malcig that rejection the subject of a wrtten ruling.
crial
This offerig is comprised of documentation, the statement of Mr. Greg Stemm
and other relevant OME personnel and the offering of inspection ofthe boats Odyssey Exp10rer and Odyssey Alert.
Dockets.Justia.com
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ENGLISH TRASLATION
Page Two
For this reason, I have tred by all means available to me with the maxum discretion possible, following the instrctions of my client, to avoid the false ofiicial position on ths matter, which in my view is dangerous for the very interests of Spain, via letters to varous authorities and interviews with the Ministr of Cultue, the Junta de Andalusia, the Public Prosecutor and the Court of La Linea de la Concepcion, etc. and reports and statements in the press without the least result. I attach to this letter the sworn statement of Mr. Greg Stemm.
I trt, Sir, that these lines will make clear my loyal conduct on behalf of OME
and regretting both as a professional and as a Spansh citizen, not having been able , as would have been our desire, to avoid the complicated foreseeable situation for the Spansh admsuation that will arse as a result of OME exercising its legitimate rights to defend its interests, as well as the Spansh position in relation to underwater cultual heritage in all international legal
forus.
It is OME' s constant desire and policy to give advance notice of its conduct to the Spansh authorities implicated. That is what it has done to date in relation to the movements of its vessels in waters near the Spansh coast. At this time
however and regrettably, we are deprived of any adequate line of communcation.
Sincerely,
Jose Luis Gom
A COpy OF THS LETTER AND DOCUMNTS TO:
Don Jose Mara Pons Irazabal Director General de Politica Exterior para Europa y America del Norte Misterio de Asuntos Exteriores y Cooperaci6n Edificio Torres Agora C/ Serrano Galvache 26
28006 Madrd
Almirante Don Teodoro de Leste Contrera Director del Museo Naval de Madrid Museo Naval de Madrd
cale Montalban 2
28014 Madrd
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ENGLISH TRASLATION
Page Three
Fiscal Don Angel Nufez Fiscalia de la Audiencia Provincial de Cadiz Cuesta de las Cales as sin
11071 Cadiz
Comandante Cortes
Unidad Central Operativa de la Guadia Civil
Deparamento de Delitos contra el Patronio
Calle Salinas del Rosio 32 28042 Madrid
35
D. Jesus Romero Benitez
Director General de Bienes Cultuales
Consejeria de Cultua Junta de Andalucia Palacio de Santa Maria la Blanc
Altaa
41004 SEVILA
Dona Mara Teresa Fernandez de la Vega Vice Presidenta Primera , Mistra de la Presidencia y Portavoz del Gobierno Minsterio de la Prcsidencia Complejo de la Moncloa
A venida Puerta de Hierro
28071 Madrid
."
......". ...
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CO.
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ABOGADOS
Don Julian ivfar1iJ1cz Garda
Dirctor Gcneral de Bellas Aries
C.
y Bienes Culturulcs
0P
Ministerio de Cultura Plaza del Rey J , Phmla baja
2S071
MINlS"!' iiY,, -:i !E
JVJatlrid
ENTRADI
- 6 JUL. 2007
: ;:I.. rIJt
6 de juiio de 2
Distinguido Sr. Dircr.tor G
Durante Dlieve anas Odysst:y
ncral;
REGISTRO
pudicrall originar en rclucion con su , por snptJcs!o prcvisiblcs que se
Alboran) dcno'
'Iarine: Exploration lnc. (Oi\-n lodas Ius esfucros CD SU ) ha realizado mano pam so1venmr c.olJ las llt(1ridadcs cSptli'olas y las andalm cuatesquicra difercucias
as
imp0l1ante ayuda cn d estudio, la Iocalizaci6n y In defensa d I patrin'onio subacuiiico espcmol en diversos mares cultural
arqueo16gico. USled
marg n de elJo ha ofrecido SIl llcjor co1aboracion con estas autoridades no para privilegio alguno sino pOl' logGl1' cntcndcr que podfa oficcer una
Al
del mejor cspfritu de colabomcioJ1.
proyecto HMS SLlSSCX
(Mar' de
, dentro de su mojor quehacer
la que tanto mi colflboradota Sm. Mnrie Rogct1 comoposidon ue OME en yo
es
Un testigo ex.cepciol1al ue esta
, como abogado:; dcsignados por Ie empresH. hemos pncsto llucstras mejom.s Husioncs y empeiius , l1si como !o.tI represemantes de las Hmbcgadas de ESfHdos UDictos .y del Reino ()njdo et\ Mndrid.
e0l1 motivo de 105 ultmo.'
Elguas del Atlantico
resultados en e! "
espai'olas . y en el ql.e el
jndieio
" en fuera de cualesquicra aguas jurisdicclonales
Estado espano) camcc de momcnta de
Proycclo Black Swan
gravisirnoR !erminos de iIegaJidad
ignUicativo de una ba$e jurfdica para ualquier It! reGiamllci6n por su del cargarnento encontmdo pm1;e , llJgunli autoridades espafiola.,; ,I muy hem suscitado un s dificilmcntc explicahles sospeohas de actuaci6nalto nivcJ OMB. Heln califc.' H1o una limpLcirna iJega! dc actuaciol\ de esta cntidad el punto de visla legal como , tanto desde arqueolo,gico (que por 10 dcmas les
yaun de de!ito, tormu)ando acus
COllsta), en cjol1es
nos con&fq, rcpito , que , pOT identidad crl barco tmnsporLaoor del cargamcDto ejemplo y bitsit.amente , la , puesto que incluso OME qUI; 10 invcstiga en
t:Ol1fil'IDar 1a idcntidad del pecic. Ta) PO
Juzgados cspanole. tI cuando careccn de confirmacion 0 plleba accrca dc
fonnalcs aote Ios
profuodfdad carcce de hldicios
arlecnados para
CiOJl Ofi!;ial y eI inju5to eco que Ila producido desrnesUJado e r;n )a prcnsa nac/onal e intcmaciona) ejorcicio en mncbos casos de , ell Un L1na total jn-espOl)sabilidad la imagen e indudab)c pr han porlido daiiar tigio de OM E
VELAZQIJEl24 . )' . 180m .\ADRJ. TEL
RDSELLON 229-
joseluis. goni
, lO -mW08 nAJtCELONA
(34) 91
1634740. FJ'X
gOrl-abogados. com
.TEL(_ 4j
ct:) 9r %3 j J 43
)93 415 70 IJ
3 415'J06R. f'l\ (
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OME no ha lenido pOT
otra parle 10
puesto que Jas dUigcncias judicra1cs
aclaracjones y la
hacerlos ohjelo d
mas minima posibj)dad do dcfendcrse
sc
de La Linea lIB. recluzado I1lestros afreci miemos
colnboracl6n mas tmnsparcnlt:
de eSHS
han decLarado sem:etas y el Juzgado
tOI1nales de pruebas
escritos de pefsonacion y de propusiciol1
EJ ofi-ccimicnlo
una jJrovidencia de r ch.ozo.
pmobas sin ni siqujcra
, devolvicndonos 105
Stemm y otro pcrsonaI rclevllntedc OM!
cOlnprel\(JJa docuUlen1aci6n, !a deciaraeioJ, del Sr. Greg
y eI de los barcos Odyssey ExpJorer Y Odyssey Alertofrecimicnlu de inspecci6n
Con este mofivo he imentmJo pOl' 105 rnedios djscrecion posible, siguict1do los iJ)stmc(;ioue
posicion oficial sobrc este tCJ11C1
a lui nlcancc
!os propios int rcses CSpa1101es , merlhmtc r.eirlns a diversCis utOtidlldes y el MiniSlcl'io de Culturn , Ja Junta de Andalucia, la Fiscalia enircvistas con , el Juzgado dc Lfl Linea de la Concepcion , et
, A mi jnicio religrosa pam
illfonnes y dec1a
, con la rm lxillia rle mi cliel1te , c\'ilm' la HIisa
eJ 1l.aS millmo
resuhado.
acione$
11 la
prcnsa, sin
AcompaDD J1 Stemm.
esta
carta uun declanwi6n 1a declanwiou jurada del Sr.
Greg
Valgan estas Jincas , Sr. Director General 1.1 mas leal actuacion por parle de , pam deja/" Una cbra constancia de OME y de lamcnhmdo por mi p,ute en ftmcion de mi mmetido quicl: esto suscrjbeprof ional y aun como cspanol , no pDder cvitar, GOIDO hubicra sido estro dcseo, Jas sHl.aciones previsiblemente comprometidas pura la Administracion cspmlola que sc
de riven
Bus It:,gitimo.s dcrechos en uefcnsfi de sus mtcn scs , aSl COIno de 1a posicion espanola en relacion con el patrmoOLO subacualico en Ios foros
del ejcrcicio par parle de OME de
judiciale,! intcrnacional
Es dcseo
y politica pCID1aneJJte de
actaci60 en conocimieJJto de Jus atJioridades i.
OME poner antlcipadamcnte
mplicadas. Asi )0
su
en todo momento en relncion
proximBs a las costas
lamelltabJemcntc , se nos Diega cl1aJqujer linea de interloeueioD adectlada. y embargo
' n ste motivo ,
eOJ) los movimiemos de sus csptli.o1as- En estos tnomclllos bareD!; sit,
bel hecho
Il aO'I!88
Ie saluda tmjyalenronmnte
e Luis Gofii
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SF. R&\'fIE COPTA DE ESTA CAIn A y DOCUMENTOS A:
Don Jose Maria Pon Irazazabal DirectOl General de l'oJitk' a Jixt cri or pam Europa y America tlc1l\ortc Ministcrio de Asunlos ExLenorcs y Coop raci6n
Ediicio Torres A.gorn C!
Sewu)O Galvache 26
28006 Madrid
AJmirallte Don Teodoro de Leste Contrera
Djmctordd Museo Naval
do Madrid
Museu Naval de M.mlrid
caHe Montalbnn 2 28014 Madrid
Fiscal Don Angel NUilel
Fi&cD.H
de la A udictle;iOl Provincial de C;:\(Jiy Cuesta de las Calcsas sin
11071 CadiI'. Comandantc COlles
Calle SaliilS del Rosia 32 28042 M drld
Uojdad Central Opcrativa de la Guardia Civil Deparimento de Dclilos c.ontra cl Patdmonio
D, Je us Romero Benitez Director General de Aiencs Culturales
Coosejerla de CuUnn!
Junta de AIldnlucia
Palacio de .t\tmnira
Santa Mnria Ja BImlC3 ,
1
41004 SEVILLA
Dofta Mara Teresa Fernandez de la Vega
Vlce Presidentn
Mir.terio de la Prc.idencia
28071 Madrd
Pricrd, Minisl1tt ue Ja .Pesidmtcia v POrlavoz del Gnbit:n1O
Complejo de ia Monc1oa A venida Ptrena de HJcrro
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MARINE EXPLORATION
YSSEY
SWORN STATEMENT
GREGORY STEMM
DATED JUY
5, 2007
T/rs document is confidential and intended only for the use of the recipient. It should nDt be distributed to any party without QuthorizatiDn oj an offcer or legal representative oj Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc.
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MARINE EXPLORATION
SWORN STATEMENT
July 5 ,
YSSEY
2007
address
My full name is Gregory Stemm. My legal
deletedJ.
fpersonal home address
I am competent to testifY as to the matters covered in this statement.
I swear or
affi that the facts herein are
tre to the best of
my lmowledge.
Inc.
I am the Co-founder
and Co-chairan of
Odyssey
Mare Exploration,
Odyssey ) an American company incorporated under the laws of the state of Nevada with its
pricipal place of business located in Tampa, Florida.
I am authorized to speak on behalf of Odyssey.
Odyssey has recovered coins and artfacts from the Atlantic Ocean from a site
which Odyssey has code-named
the "Black
Swan." For securty reasons,
Odyssey has 110t
disclosed the date of recovery or the exact location of the site.
Odyssey has not recovered suffcient evidence to establish the identity of the ship
:Iom which the "Black Swan"
coins and artfacts origiated.
Odyssey has properly fied a Warant of AIest in the United States Federal Court
sitting in admialty jursdiction.
The Cour
has granted Odyssey finder and/or salvor in
possession status and has appointed Odyssey as Substitute Custodian for the U. S. Marshall for a11
artifacts recovered :Iom the site.
Following strngent archaeological
arfacts :Iom the
protocols, Odyssey recovered coins and
site after a detailed pre-disturbance surey and transported them back to the
of the survey
United States to be conserved using appropriate curatorial methods. All aspects
were conducted llder the
direct supervsion of qualified archaeologists.
The fITt shipment of "Black Swan" site arifacts transported from Gibraltar was
shipped on April 10 ,
2007 from Gibraltar to Tampa, Florida via a private GS aircraft. This
Page 1 ofl 0
Tlzs document is confidential and intended only for the I/se of the recipient. It should not be distributed to an)' party without authorization of an offcer or legal representative of Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc.
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shipment consisted of plumps of silver coins,
and small miscellaneous
artifacts. The second
shipment of coins and artifacts took place on May 16, 2007 from Gibraltar to Tampa, Florida via
a North American Ailines Boeing 757.
The shipment consisted of miscellaneous artifacts as
well as 552 containers of silver coins. In each case, Odyssey submitted all appropriate paperwork
as required by the Government of Gibraltar for legal exportation of all materials exported. All
appropriate laws and customs regulations were also followed upon arrval
of the materials into the
United States.
10.
Contrar to some media reports,
the United Kingdom s Ministr of Defence had
no involvement whatsoever in the storage, conservation or any other aspect of the recovery or
transportation of the coins and artfacts from the "Black Swan" site.
11.
Federal Court' s
Odyssey has retained custody of the coins and arfacts
order. Odyssey
pursuant to the U.
s archaeological plan includes the possibilty of returning to the
site to begi the second phase of archaeological investigation in order to attempt to confirm the
identity of the ship from which the cargo may have origiated
so that any
and all parties that may
have a potential claim.to the coins and arfacts
may be
notified. Odyssey is finalizing its intial
archaeological report relative to the site, the coins, and the artfacts recovered, and is now in the
process of preparng a detailed statement for the U.S. Federal Court which
jursdiction over the
has assumed
site.
the
12.
The statement to be filed with the U.S. Federal Cour is expected to include
following:
a. the
initial archaeological report prepared by Odyssey on the Black Swan site
and the coins and artifacts;
b. a statement of conservators regarding the status of the coins and artifacts
recovered and the efforts and expenses of Odyssey to date associated with
conservation as wen as an estiate
Page 2 of 10
This document
of expenses going forward;
confidential and intellded only for the use of the recipient. It should not be distributed to any party without authorization of an offcer or legal representative of Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc.
is
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affdavits fTom varous
pleadings; and
Odyssey
personnel regarding facts alleged in the
d. other information which may be useful to the Cour in determining the rights
of Odyssey and any potential third partes.
13.
Recovery of the coins and arifacts from the "Black Swan" site has been the
subject of intense international media attention and speculation , especial1y in Spain. Many ofthe
Spanish media reports have been :flled with inaccuracies , including false claims that the "Black
Swan" coins and arfacts and/or artfacts from other shipwrecks were recovered ilegal1y from
Spanish temtorial waters.
14.
Spain has filed claims in three pending court cases in which Odyssey has filed
site,
Wanants of Arrest. None of those sites, however, including the " Black Swan"
are located in
or near Spansh waters. Additionally, since the public anouncement of the discovery of the
Black Swan"
site
, Odyssey has been very clear that the cargo recovered was in no way related to
Odyssey s "Alboran Sea Project" nor the wreck site of what is believed to be HMS Sussex.
15.
and the
At various times afer January 2007, Odyssey s two ships, the
Odyssey Explorer
coast of Spain
Ocean Alert were engaged in survey activities off the Mediterranean
pursuant to the
surey plan envisioned and described in the "Alboran Sea Project" which was
including representatives of the
submitted to, and approved by Spanish authorities
Andalucia. These
Junta of
activities consisted principally of conductig side scan sonar surveys in the
Alboran Sea with the purposes of locating anomalies in order to map shipwreck sites in the area.
These activities took place while awaiting the appointment
Andalucia, prior to beginning the archaeological
of archaeologists by the Junta
investigation of the site believed to
be HMS
Sussex. It was intended that data from these surveys would be furnshed to the Junta of Andalucia
pursuant to the "Alboran Sea Project" plan.
This docl/ment
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16.
Odyssey s vessel , the
Ocean Alert
does not have an ROV or recovery system of
to acoustic survey operations. Thus ,
any kind aboard, and it was dedicated entiely
it would have
been impossible for this slrip to have been involved in any recovery of artfacts off the coast of
Spain or anywhere else. Reports that the AIS monitoring system showed the ship moving from
offshore to closer inshore were simply a reflection of the surey lines that were being run
pursuant to the specific notice which had been provided to the Guardia Civil relative to these
activities prior to leaving POlt on each occasion.
17.
The
Odyssey ExplOl'el'
was involved in acoustic surey only
beyond Spanish
terrtorial waters, as wen as inspection of anomalies using the ZEUS ROV system, also only
beyond Spanish terrtorial waters. Some shipwrecks were discovered during this period and their
locations as well as archeological profiles were recorded. Odyssey is prepared to present data
describing the location and information relatig
to shipwreck
sites located durng the course of
the surveys to the Spanish authorities as originally established within the "Alboran Sea Project"
plan which was submitted to , and approved by the Spansh Governent and the
Andalucia.
18.
Junta of
The "Black
Swan" site is located in the Atlantic
Ocean beyond the terrtorial
outside any waters which
waters or contiguous zone of any sovereign state ,
and in particular,
have been claimed by Spain. As stated above , the exact location of the site cannot be given at ths
time for security reasons. Odyssey believes that valuable arfacts may stin lie on the site, and
because there are salvage companies with the capacity to undertake excavations that would
violate Odyssey
s exclusive status as salvor/finder in possession ,
there is a clear and present
danger to the unprotected site.
19.
Odyssey issued a press release regarding the "Black Swan" recovery on May 18
2007 and a subsequent clarifyg statement on
May 21 ,
2007. (Those are attached hereto as
Composite Exhibit A).
Page 4 oflO
This document is confidential and intended only for the lIse of the recipient. It should not be distributed to any party witllollt authorization of an offcer or legal representative of Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc.
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20.
On May 29,
2007, Odyssey s attorneys attended a
meetig at the
Spanish
Ministr of Culture in Madrid and explained Odyssey s activities to the Director General of Fine
Ars and
Cultural Assets, Mr. Julian Martinez Garcia. Odyssey s explanations were rejected out
of hand by ths gentleman and he stated that he was only interested in the location and identity of
the wreck irrespective of the risk this could create for the wreck site. Odyssey s attorneys were
informed that no additional meetings would be possible until Odyssey agreed to provide the
location and identity of the "Black Swan"
site
, in spite of the assertion of Odyssey s attorneys
that there was not sufficient evidence to confirm the identity of any ship related to the " Black
Swan " site and that revealing.the location of the site would endanger the site and should only be
authorized through the u. S.
Federal Cour Judge who had jurisdiction over the site.
21.
On or about June 5 , 2007 , Odyssey became aware through the Spansh press that
an order for a crminal investigation had allegedly
been issued by a Spansh court which would
allow Spanish offcials to intercept and inspect Odyssey s vessels if they attempted to depar
Gibraltar, where they were and curently are docked. Media reports indicated that the order was
based on a claim that Odyssey had ilegally recovered coins and artfacts in Spansh terrtorial
waters.
22.
On June 11 ,
2007 , Odyssey, though its attorneys, presented themselves before
the court to request a copy of the alleged Order which had been referenced in the Spanish media
ITom the judge in the Court of La
Linea de La Concepcion N , the Honorable Mr. Juan Jose
Navas Blanquez. Odyssey s attorney, however, was told by that Judge that the proceedings were
secret" at this time and that Odyssey could not be provided with any information on the subject
or scope of the investigation or confiation that an order for the arrest of any vessels even
existed. Nevertheless, Odyssey s attorney offered the possibilty of an inspection of Odyssey
ships as well as the possibility of an intervew with a legal representative of Odyssey. Odyssey
attorney was encouraged by the judge to file an appearance in the proceedings and to offer any
Page 5 of 10
Tlls doci/ment is confidential and intended only for the rIse of the recipient. It should not be distributed to any party without authorization of an offcer or legal representative of Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc.
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information Odyssey would like the judge to consider. Later that day, Odyssey s attorney fied
an appearance pleading (including the power of attorney) at court in wmch Odyssey confied
that no shipwreck related to the "Black Swan" site had been identified, and that the site was not
located in Spanish jursdictional waters. The pleading also made an offer to assist the judge in his
investigations.
23.
In addition,
on June 14, 2007 Odyssey s attorney appeared before the Offce
the Public Prosecutor in Cadiz to attempt to learn more about the proceedings and to again offer
to cooperate on Odyssey s behalf. The attorney was told the same thing that he had been told on
June 11 by the Judge, that the order
was secret, and again he was encouraged to offer any
available information to the Judge.
24.
On June 21 2007 , and contrary to the indications made to Odyssey s attorney by
both the Judge and the Offce of the Public Prosecutor, the Judge
called Odyssey
s court
representative (procurator) to ask him to collect the original pleading and power of attorney
which had been filed with the court, thereby rejecting any attempt by Odyssey to appear or offer
evidence in the on-going
investigation allegedly being conducted against the company. The
on June 14
original pleading, duly sealed by the cour
via the procurator.
25.
2007 , was returned to Odyssey s attorneys
While Odyssey s attorneys were attempting to be heard by the
Spanish Court
Odyssey prepared a pleading for the Cour of Instrction of La Linea de la Concepcion in its
defense and in response to the reports of the al1eged secret order for the inspection and possible
aITests of its vessels. Odyssey intended to fie that pleading with the Spanish Cour had the Court
allowed Odyssey to appear in its own defense.
26.
In that pleading, Odyssey explained that:
Odyssey bad not confinned the identity of the vessel in which the cargo
recovered from the "Black Swan "
site was cared. Consequently, the
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Spanish State could not have any proof that any of the artfacts
belong to Spain.
recovered
b. the U.S. Court has taken jursdiction over the arest and that Spain has made
an appearance before the U.S. Court to pursue its rights and claims in that
forum.
c. on November 13 ,
2006, Odyssey anounced to the Directorate General
of
Fine Arts of the Ministr of Cultue in Madrd, in a meeting attended by
Greg Stemm representig Odyssey and Odyssey
Luis Goni ,
s legal counsel,
Mr. Jose
the possibility of shipwreck finds which could have cultual
historical interest to Spain. Odyssey offered to Spain the opportnity to collaborate in the projects discussed, and made clear that some of the wrecks
were in danger ITom other
salvors and that the company was prepared to
collaborate with Spain to identify and protect these sites. Ths offer had also
been made on varous occasions to Spansh and Andalucian authorities.
d. No recovery of any arfacts or cultural hertage materials has taken place in
undisputed Spanish terrtorial waters from Odyssey s vessels.
e. All operations in the Alboran Sea, since the arrival of both Odyssey s ships
to the area in 2007, were reported in advance and c10sely monitored by the
Guardia Civil. (Copies of the Notices to the Guardia Civil are attached hereto
as Exhibit B).
No artfacts from any shipwrecks or underwater sites are aboard either of
Odyssey s vessels at this time, and it is not intended that any will be aboard
either ship when they depar Gibraltar.
g. A legal representative of Odyssey was available to give testimony regarding
alleged activities in
Spanish waters before a Judge upon issuance
of a
This document
is
Page 7 of 10 confidential and intended ollly for the use of the recipient. It should not be distributed to
any party without authorization of an offcer or legal representative of Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc.
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
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subpoena and reasonable notice with a translator and assurance that he/she
would not be detained.
h. Odyssey would
allow inspection of its vessels on mutually agreed terms by a
cour appointed inspector.
27.
Also in response to allegations in the Spanish media regarding Odyssey
presence near Spanish waters in March 2007 , Odyssey, on June 22 , 2007, issued a statement that
it had been hired by Volvo Cars of North America , LLC to
sin a modem treasure chest in a
organized in cooperation
location outside Spanish terrtorial waters as par of a Volvo contest
with the Walt Disney Company to promote
Disney s Pirates oj the Caribbean: At World' s End.
Odyssey was workig under non-disclosure agreements with Volvo and Disney which restrcted
it from explain:ig its activities durg this perod or prior to June 22 , 2007 without violating the
terms of this non- disclosure agreement. (A copy of Volvo s press release is attached hereto as
Exhibit C).
28.
Volvo s confirmation of Odyssey s activities is attached as Exhibit D ,
a letter
prepared by Volvo:i support of Odyssey on June 7 , 2007 and submitted to Spanish authorities.
29.
Despite Odyssey s attempts to explain its
activities to the Spanish court
Odyssey s vessels have been forced to remain in Gibraltar under threat of Spanish interference
with their departe, which has been communicated to Odyssey through diplomatic chanels
without any clear accusations, charges or possibility for Odyssey to present evidence.
30.
Odyssey has not been offcially informed of any charges aga:ist it. However, in
addition to the plead:igs which it has attempted to file and the public statements it has made , and
in an attempt to address the " secret" allegations, Odyssey fies herewith a chronological summary
of its communications with the Kigdom of Spain and the autonomous region of Andalucia since
July of 1998. (Exhibit E)
Page 8 of 10
This document is confidential and intellded only for the lIse of the recipient. It should not be distributed to allY party without authorization of an offcer or legal representative of Odyssey Marine Exploration Illc.
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
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31.
Odyssey remains willing to cooperate with cour-ordered investigations including
the inspection of its
ships in compliance with international law. Odyssey has suffered
and
contiues to suffer
fiancial
damages as a result of the threats in Spain based on unounded
al1egations against the company, its vessels , and crew.
32.
Odyssey intends to move its vessels, the
Oceal1 Alert
a Panamanian flagged
vessel , and the
Odyssey E:xplorer a Bahamian flagged vessel, ITom Gibraltar to locations beyond
any waters claimed by Spain.
33.
Prior to sailing, Odyssey may remove from the vessels certain survey, video and
inspection equipment unneces-sar to the voyage in order to ship them to another location to begi
operations elsewhere. Odyssey will maitain a list of any equipment which has been removed and
win produce that list along with customs documentation confidentially upon wrtten request from
the Spanish Government. Odyssey warrants that none of the equipment removed represents any
evidence which could in any way contain inormation or be used to demonstrate that any ilegal
activities within Spanish terrtorial waters have taken place.
34.
Odyssey intends to inform the Guardia Civil and Spanish authorities of its
to
deparre plans prior
depare of its ships so that an inspection of Odyssey s vessels may be
coordinated on mutually-agreed terms.
35.
Because false and misleading information has been distrbuted through the
Spanish media, and because Odyssey s responses to the alleged criminal order to which it has
been denied access
have gone unheard , I have prepared
this Sworn Statement
to clarfY
misinformation which has appeared in the press relatig to Odyssey s activities.
Page 9 of 10
This document is confidential and intended only for the lIse of the recipient. It should not be distributed to any party without authorization of an offcer 01' legal representative of Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc.
N
C
=
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I CERTIF THAT THE ABOVE IS TRue
KNOWLEDGE
A:.1)
CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY
Gregory St Co fouod"r mid Co.Chairman. Odyssey Marine E.'pIlmllion Jne
COUI\'TY OF HILLSBOROUGH
Tht foregoing instrumem was acknowledged befor; me this day of July, 2007, by I"" U'I e tS persona y,,lown )y me. .1/l(:h7"
STATE OF FLORIOA
;! /:r
'4;J,/L",:
e,7
BETSY W MARRERO
cmr;C
)'.'.""'-."'''''."u''''.'''....'.-r.'.'.oIlllllolI'l
Notar)' Pub Ii\;
1I121! :
000:17.oSi5 :
!! / 1o..""'/&!f"." "
-G
""''''''..'..'1..
t':
ABen van Sp
Counsel fPl'-:oyssey :Vhrin,;. Exploralion. Inc.
ST/\.TE OF
COU11T' OF HILLSBOROL7GH
The oregoing ins Allen VOIl SplegeJfdd. He.
FLORIA
u:em
,
was acknowlc.
before me this 5th day of July. 2007. by
(;; personally !ulOWIl
Ol"'lYP",UC. $T'''OFFcO''DA
:;\ Gayla M.
''m'
.!,'SDS3 Sion#DD59B439
Arold '. 16
24 , 2010
Page d ol!fyj; - lhc
ry
Puohe
lpJ... SEP
RU I
\.";nc aO iDr;GCo. Ifc"
of 10
HS,: f/
This dOi:umen: i.( 0 ronfidl!" I!i(ll r:nd i!!h l!d any pillT)' .dl!:f)ll! iJ;Jrho,.i:'i If()/1l)f.un r-!ffi
lh:: ri.;_
cr or legal ri:pr(. en.!():i e ( f J
l!i. f! should 11(7i hi' disil'iiwICd ijJ Oii \"SSL'Y kfari.'!l:' E :ploratj()n Inc.
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
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MARINE EXPJ.ORATION
YSSEY
DECLARCION
JUA
Esta es una traducci6n de Ia carta en ingles. Ala medida que haya discrepancia entre las dos versiones la version
inglesa siempre prevalece
This dOClmenl
confidenlial alld j//ended on(l'for Ihe IIse Dflhe I'ecipiem.
1/ s/1OJlld not be dislributed
to
any party without Ql/t/wl'i:mtiol1 q(an l.tJcel' or legall'epresentatil'e of Odyssey Marine Er:plaralian Inc,
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
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Traduccion
Esta es una traduccion de la carta en ingles. A la medida que haya discrepancia entre las dos
versiones, la version inglesa siempre prevalece
DECLARCION
1. Mi nornbre completo
direccion particular suprimida
JUA
5 de julio de 2007
es Gregory Stemm. Mi direcci6n a efectos legales es J. Tengo capacidad suficiente para realizar esta
declaraci6n en re1aci6n con los ternas tratados a continuacion.
2. Juro 0 afimlO que
los hechos relatados aqui son exactos segim mi saber y
entender.
3. Soy el Co-fundador
de Odyssey Mare Exploration Inc. (en adelante Odyssey), empresa americana constituida segun las leyes del Estado de Nevada que po see sus oficinas centrales en Tampa , Florida.
Odyssey para realizar esta declaracion.
4. Estoy autorizada por
5. Odyssey ha recuperado rnonedas y artefactos del
occano Atlantico de un
yacirniento a que Odyssey ha dado el nombre codificado de " Black Swan . Por razones de seguridad , Odyssey no ha publicado la fecha del descubriento ni la localizaci6n exacta del yacimiento.
6. Odyssey no ha obtenido
suficientes pruebas para poder identificar el buque del
una orden de embargo ante la Jurisdicci6n
Unidos. El Juzgado americano ha
cilal proceden las monedas y 105 artefactos recuperados del " Black Swan
7. Odyssey ba debidamente presentado
Maritima del Juzgado Federal de 1013 Estados
concedido a Odyssey el estatus de descubridor y/o salvador en posesi6n y ha nombrado a Odyssey como depositaro de todos 1013 artefactos recuperados del yacimiento en sustituci6n del U.S. Marshall.
8. Siguiendo rigurosos protoc010s arqueo16gicos ,
Odyssey ha recuperado monedas
artefactos del yacimiento despues
(predistl/rbance survey)
de una inspecci6n pre-remoci6n ponnenorizada y los l1a transportado a 1013 EE.UU para
ser conservados de acuerdo con metodos de cuidado correspondientes. Toda la inspecci6n se realizo bajo la supervision directo de arque6Jogos certificados.
9. El primer
embarque de artefactos del yacimiento del " Black Swan" sali el 10 de abril 2007 desde Gibraltar a Tampa , Florida en un avi6n privado G5. Este embarque consistfa en grpos de monedas de plata , y pequefios artefactos rniscehlneos. El segundo embarque de monedas y artefactos salieron el16 de mayo desde Gibraltar a Tampa , Florida en un avi6n de Nort American Ailines
Este docl/mento es cO/lfidendal y solo para
eluso del recipiente designado. No debe ser distribuido a cllalquier parte Sill autorizacion de un oficial 0 representante legal de Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc.
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
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Page 20 of 52
Boeing 757. El embarque
consistia de artefactos misceUmeos asi como 552 envases de monedas de plata. En cada caso , Odyssey cumpli6 con todos 10s tnimites y requisitos aduaneros del Gobiemo de Gibraltar para la legitima
exportaci6n de los materiales. Asimismo , todos 105 requisitos legales e
aduaneros apropiados fueron cumplidos en cuanto llegaron estos bienes a los
Estados Unidos.
10. Contrariamente a
comunicaciones , el Minsterio de Defensa del Reino Unido no participo absoluto en el almacenaje , conservaci6n 0 en cualquier otra operaci6n relativa a la recuperaci6n 0 transportaci6n de las monedas y artefactos del yacimiellto del Black Swan
la informaci6n publicada par algunos medios de
11. Odyssey ha mantenido la custodia de las monedas y de los artefactos de acuerdo con la orden del Juzgado Federal americano. EI plan arqueologico de Odyssey incluye la posibilidad de volver al yacimiento para empezar la segunda fase de la investigacion arqueol6gica con el fin de intentar confirmar la identificaci6n del yacimiento de donde podia haber procedido la carga para que todas y cada uno
de las partes que potencialmente posean alglm derecho sabre las monedas y 10s
artefactos pueden ser notificadas. Odyssey esti finalizando su infonne arqueol6gico preliminar relativo al yacimiento , las monedas y los artefactos recuperados , y esta actualmente e1aborando una declaracion pormenorizada para el Juzgado Federal del EE.DU. que ha asumido la jurisdicci6n sobre el yacimiento.
12. La declaracion que va a ser presentada ante el Juzgado Federal del EE.DU. se
espera que inc1uya la siguiente informacion:
el informe arqueol6gico preliminar de Odyssey sobre e1 yacimiento del "Black Swan" y las monedas y artefactos;
una dec1araci6n realizada por expertos en conservaci6n en re1aci6n con el estado de las monedas y los artefactos recuperados y las operaciones de conservaci6n y gastos incurrdos par Odyssey hasta fecha as! como un presupuesto de 10s gastos futuros
declaraciones juradas de varios
empleados de Odyssey en relacion
con los hechos descritos en los escritos; y
otra informaci6n que pudiera ser de utilidad a1 Juzgado americano
(para detennar los derechos
terceros potenciales;
de Odyssey y de cualquier otros
13. La recuperaci6n de las monedas y de los artefactos procedentes del "Black Swan" ha sido objeto de una intensa atenci6n y especulaci6n mediatica intemacional , particu1armente en Espana. Muchos de los reportajes mediaticas
espafiolas se encuentran
llenas de equivocaciones
inc1uyendo falsas
Este documento es cOl1jidencial y solo para ell/so del recipiente designado. No debe ser distribllido a cualqllier parte sin autorizaciol1 de un oficial 0 representante legal de
Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc.
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
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Page 21 of 52
afirmacionessobre la recuperaci6n ilegal de las monedas y artefactos del "Black Swan y/o artefactos de otms pecios de aguas territoriales espafiolas.
14. Espana l1a presentado reclamaciones judiciales en tres de los casas pendientes ante el Juzgado americano en los cuales Odyssey ha solicitado una orden de embargo. Sin embargo, niguo de estos yacimientos, incluyendo el yacimiento del "Black Swan , estan ni cerca ni en aguas espafiolas. Asimismo, desde el anuncio publico del descubrimiento del yacimiento del " Black Swan , Odyssey ha declarado contundentemente que la carga recuperada de ninguna manera esta relacionada con el Proyecto Mar de Alboran de Odyssey, il con el yacimiento de 10 que se piensa ser el HMS Sussex.
15. En varias ocasiones despues de enero 2007, 10s dos buques de Odyssey, el
Ocean Alert realizaron operaciones de inspecci6n cerca de la costa mediterranea espanola de conformidad con 10 previsto y descrito el plan de inspecci6n del Proyecto Mar de Alboran que fue presentado y aprobado
Odyssey Explorer y el
Andalucfa. Estas operaciones consistian pricipalmente
por las Autoridades espafioles incluyendo 10s representantes de la Junta de en reaHzar sondeos
barrdo laterales en el Mar del Alboran con el proposito de localizar anomalfas
para pader catalogar pecias en la zona. Estas operaciones se realizaron mientras Odyssey esperaba el nombramiento par parte de la Junta de Andalucfa de los arque610gos , antes de comenzar la investigaci6n arqueo16gica del yacirento
que se cree ser el HMS Sussex.
Proyecto Mar de Alboran.
16. E1 buque de Odyssey Ocean Alert
Era la intencion de Odyssey entre gar la informaci6n de estas investigaciones a la Junta de Andalucfa de acuerdo con el
carece de sistema de control remota (ROV) u
cualqL1iera de recuperaci6n abordo , y se dedic6 enteramente a Por 10 tanto, seria (acoustic survey). realizar operaciones de sondeo acustico
otro sistema
imposible que este buque realizara la recL1peraci6n de cualquier artefacto fuera de las costas de Espana 0 en cualquier otro lugar. Las informaciones del sistema de vigilancia AIS que muestran los movimientos del buque des de el exterior
bacia zonas mas cercanas a la costa son simplemente ref1ejos de las lineas de sondeo que se trazaban , de conformidad con la especifca notificaci6n que en
cad a ocasi6n se
realizaba a la Guardia Civil antes de salir del Puerto en relaci6n con estas operaciones.
Odyssey Explorer
17. E1 buque
realiz6 sondeos acusticas mas alia de las
aguas
terrtoriales espafiolas
unicamente , as! como mspecciones de anomalias
utilizando el sistema de ROV ZEUS tambien (micamente mas alia de aguas territoriales espafiolas. Se descubrieron algunos pedos durante este periodo su localizacion as! como sus perfies arqueologicos fueron catalogados. Odyssey esta dispuesto facilitar datos en relaci6n can la localizaci6n e informaci6n relevante a 10s yacimientos encontrados durante estos sonde os alas autoridades espafioles tal como se estableci6 originalmente en el Proyecto Mar del Alboran
que fue presentado a, y aprobado par el Gobierno espanol y la Junta de
Andalucia.
Este documento es corifidencial y solo para el uso del recipiente designado. No debe
ser distribuido a cualquier parte sin autorizacion de un oficial 0 representante legal de
Odyssey Marine R'Cploration Inc.
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
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18. E1 yacimiento del "Black Swan" esta localizado en el oceano Ath'intico mas alia
de aguas teITtoria1es 0 zonas contiguas de cualquier estado
partcular, lejos de
soberano,
y en
aguas jurisdiccionales reclamadas par Espana. Como se dice , 1a localizaci6n exacta del yacimiento no puede ser reve1ada en anteriormente este momenta para salvaguardar 1a seguridad del yacimiento. Odyssey cree que pueden existir aun mas artefactos valiosos en 1a zona del yacimiento y dado que existen empresas de sa1vamento con capacidad de rea1izar excavaciones que pueden vio1ar e1 estatus exclusivo de Odyssey como salvador/descubridor en posesion, existe una claro y real peligro para el yacimiento desprotegido.
public6 una nota de
19. EI 18 de mayo de 2007, Odyssey
21 de mayo de
prensa relativa a la
recuperaci6n del "Black Swan" y posteriormente una declaracion aclaratoria el 2007. (Ambos notas de prensa se adjunta como Doc. A).
20. El 29 de mayo de 2007, 105 Ietrados de Odyssey acudieron a una reunion can el
Ministerio de Cultura espana
I en Madrid dande explicaron las actividades de Odyssey al Director General de Bellas Artes y Bienes Cultura1es, D. Julian
Martinez Garcia. Las explicaciones ofiecidas par Odyssey fueron rechazadas sin mas por el Director quien insisti6 que s610 Ie interesaba la localizaci6n e
identidad del pecio a pesar del riesgo que esto supondrfa para el yacimiento. 1etrados de Odyssey fueron informados pOT e1 Director General que
Los
habrfa mas reuniones hasta que Odyssey entregase la localizaci6n y la identidad del yacimiento del "Black Swan , sin tener en cuenta que, por parte de IDS letrados de Odyssey, se afirmase que no habfa prueba suficiente para confirmar la identidad del yacimiento del "Black Swan" y de que la revelaci6n de la localizaci6n pondria en peligro al yacimiento y que s610 se podria autorizar a
traves del Juez del Juzgado
Federal americano can jurisdicci6n sabre el
yacimiento.
21. Alrededor del 5 de junio de 2007, Odyssey se enter6 por la prensa espanola que a1egadamente un Juzgado espana! habia emitido una orden dentro de un procedimiento penal por 1a que se autorizaba alas autoridades espafio1es a interceptar e investigar alas buques pertenecientes a Odyssey en la medida que abandonen Gibraltar, donde siguen atracados en 1a actualidad. La infonnaci6n de 1a prensa indicaba que la orden se fundamentaba en a1egaciones de que Odyssey habfa recuperado monedas y artefactos ilegalmente de aguas territoriales
espafiolas.
22. Ell1 de
jumo de 2007, con el fin de obtener una copia de 1a mencionada orden Odyssey, a traves de su letrado espanol , se present6 ante e1 Juzgado a1 que bacia referencia la prensa (Juzgado de 1a Linea de la Concepci6n n , siendo el Juez e1 Sr. Juan Jose Navas Blanquez). EI Juez inorm6 a!letrado de Odyssey que las investigaciones tenian el cankter de " secreto " en ese momento y que por tanto Odyssey no podia ser faciltado informacion a1guna sobre el ambito 0 la materia objeto de la investigacion ni siquiera podia conflar si existfa 0 no la citada orden de detenci6n. No obstante e11etrado ofreci6 a dicbo juez 1a posibilidad de
una inspecci6n de los buques de Odyssey asf como ofrecer una entrevista con
un representante legal de Odyssey. El Juez sugiri6 al letrado de Odyssey que
Este docllmel1to es confidencial y solo para
ser distribuido a cualqllier parte sin autorizacion de un oficial
ell/so del recipiente designado. No debe
representante legal de
Odyssey Marille Exploration Illc.
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
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Odyssey sepersonara y que Ie ofreciera por escrito cualquier informaci6n que Odyssey quisiera que el Juez tuviera en cuenta. Posterionnente ese mismo dfa el letrado de Odyssey present6 el escrito de personaci6n (acompafiado de un poder
para pleitos) ante el Juzgado reiterando que no habia sido identificado ningLm pecio relacionado con el yacimiento del "Black Swan" y que dicho yacirniento no se encontraba en aguas jurisdiccionales espaoolas. En el mismo escrito se
realizaba una oferta de colaboraci6n para asistir al Juez en su investigaci6n.
23. Asf mismo, el 14 de junio de 2007, el letrado de Odyssey aeudi6 a la oficma del Fiscal en Cadiz con el prop6sito de averiguar toda la infonnaci6n posible sobre la investigaci6n penal y para reiterar la buena voluntad de Odyssey en cooperar con las investigaciones. El letrado recibi6 la rnisma infonnaci6n que Ie habfa facilitado el Juez elll de junio de 2007 (que el procedimiento era secreta) y fue alentado de nuevo para facilitar cualquier infonnaci6n disponible al Juez.
24. E121 de juno
de 2007 , y contraramente alas indicaciones realizadas a11etrado de Odyssey tanto por el Juez como por el Fiscal, el Juez lIamo el procurador de
Odyssey para que recogiera el escrito origial de personaci6n y el poder para plietos que habian sido presentados ante el Juzgado, rechazando asf cualquier
intento par parte de Odyssey de comparecer u ofrecer informaci6n para ayudar en la investigaci6n que supuestamente se esta llevando a cabo contra Odyssey. E1 escrito origial con sello de entrada el 14 de junio de 2007 fue devuelto al
letrado de Odyssey a traves de su procuradar.
25. Mientras el
letrado de Odyssey mtent6 comparecer
lnstrucci6n, Odyssey prepar6 un escrito de defensa Instrucci6n de La Linea de la Concepci6n y en respuesta alas inonnaciones relativas al secreta de la orden de inspecci6n y posible detenci6n de sus buques. Odyssey pretendi6 presentar dicho escrito frente al Juzgado espanol en el casa de que ese Juzgado Ie hubiera pennitido defenderse.
26. En dicho escrito Odyssey explicaba 10
siguiente:
ante el Juzgado de para el Juzgado de
Que Odyssey no habia confado la identidad del barco en el que
habia sido transportado el cargamento. Por consiguiente el Estado
espaool no puede disponer de prueba alguna de que 10s arefactos
recuperados pudieran pertenecerle.
Que el Juzgado americano tiene jurisdiccion sobre el embargo y que
Espana ha comparecido ante dicho Juzgado para hacer valer
reclamar sus derechos en dicho foro.
Que el dia 13 de noviembre de 2006, Odyssey anunci6 a la Direcci6n
General de Bellas Ares del Minsterio de Cultura,
en Madrd, en una
reuni6n mantenida entre yo mismo en representacion de Odyssey,
acornpanado delletrado de Odyssey, D. Jose Luis Gooi y Dona Elisa de Cabo del Ministerio de Cultura, la posibilidad del hallazgo de pecios que podrian tener interes cultural 0 hist6rico para Espana.
Este dOCllmento es confidelldal y solo
para ell/so del recipiente designado. No debe representante legal de ser distribuido a cualquier parte sin autorizacion de U/1 oficial
Odyssey
Marine Exploration Inc.
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
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Odyssey ofreci6 a Espana
proyectos comentados
la oportnidad de colaborar en 105
de
Odyssey dej6 muy claro que algunos
estos pecios estaban en peligro de caer en manos de otros salvadores y que Odyssey estaba dispuesta a colaborar con Espana para
identificar y proteger tales yacimientos. Esta ofert reiterado en diversas ocasiones a las autoridades
andaluzas.
ya se habfa
espanolas e
Que los buques
de Odyssey no han llevado a cabo ninguna
recuperaci6n de artefactos a
patronio cultural de nigun tipo
aguas terrtoriales espafiolas indiscutibles
Que todas las operaciones en el Mar del Alboran desde la llegada de ambos buques de Odyssey a la zona en 2007 , fueron notificadas con antelaci6n a la Guardia Civil y vigiladas por esta muy de cerca (copias de las notificaciones realizadas a la Guardia Civil se adjuntan a este informe como Doc.B).
Que ningun artefacto de cualquier pecio il yacimento subacuatico se encuentran a bordo de 10s buques de Odyssey en este momenta y la intenci6n es de que no haya ningun artefacto a bordo de los buques cuando salgan de Gibralta.
Que un representante legal de Odyssey esta disponible para declarar
ante el Juzgado espanol en relaci6n con alegadas actividades en aguas espafiolas tras requerimiento formal y con antelaci6n razonable can traductor bajo el compromiso de que no fuera encarcelado.
Odyssey permitini una inspecci6n de sus buques en relaci6n can sus
allegadas actividades en aguas espafiolas por un experto nombrado
por el Juzgado.
27. As! mismo, en contestaci6n a las alegaciones realizadas por la prensa espanola en relaei6n can la presencia de Odyssey eerea de aguas espafiolas en maro de 2007 , Odyssey, el 22 de junio de 2007 , publico una declaracion en la que se afirraba que fue contratado pOI V oJvo Cars of North America , LLC para hundir un cofre modemo de tesoro en una, zona fuera de aguas territoriales espafiolas como parte del concurso organizada par Valva en colaboracion can Walt Disney
World Company para promocianar el estreno de la pelfcula Caribe: el Fin de Mundo.
Disney Piratas del
Odyssey operaba bajo un acuerdo de confidencialidad can Volvo y Disney que le impedia explicar sus actividades durante este periodo o anterior al 22 de junio de 2007 sin violar 10s terminos de esta chiusula de contdencialidad del citado acuerdo. (Se adjunta una copia de la nota de prensa pubJicada par Odyssey como Doc. C).
28. Se adjunta como
Doc. una carta de 7 de junio de 2007 escrita por Volvo confinnando las actividades de Odyssey y entregado alas autoridades espanolas.
Este docl/mento es confidencial y solo para ell/so
del recipiente designado. No debe ser distnbuido a cllalquier parle sin autorizaci6n de un oficial 0 representante legal de
Odyssey Alar/7Ie Exploration l/lc.
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
Document 25-2
Filed 08/07/2007
Page 25 of 52
29. A pesar de los intentos de Odyssey de explicar sus operaciones al Juzgado espano!, losbuques de Odyssey se han visto obligados a refugiarse en Gibraltar bajo amenazas par parte de Espana de interveni tras su salida; una informaci6n que 11a sido comunicada a Odyssey a traves de canales diplomaticos sin detal1ar
las acusaciones, alegaciones y sin ofrecer a
Odyssey posibilidad algua
de
defenderse.
30. Odyssey carece de notificaci6n oficial de cualquier cargo contra el1a. A pesar de
eUo y ademas de los escritos que ha intentado presentar al Juzgado espanol y de
las declaraciones publicas
secretas
contra Odyssey, Odyssey adjunta a 10 presente un resumen
Comundad
, y en un intento de responder alas alegaciones
cronologico de sus comunicaciones con el Reina de Espana y la
Aut6noma de Andalucia desde julio de 1998. (Doc. D).
31. Odyssey mantiene su intencion de colaborar can cualquier orden judicial
incluyendo la inspecci6n de sus buques de acuerda con las leyes internacionales. Odyssey ha sufrido y continua sufrienda danos y perjuicios economicos como
consecuencia de las amenazas de Espana basadas en alegaciones inndadas
contra su empresa, sus buques y su triplllaci6n.
de bandera 32. Odyssey tiene la illtenci6n de !levar a sus buques , el Ocean Alert con bandera de Bahamas, desde Gibraltar a un Odyssey Explorer panamefia y el lugar fuera de las aguas reclamadas par Espana.
33. Antes de salir, Odyssey puede sacar de los buques cierto equipo de investigaci6n , video e inspecci6n innecesaria para el viaje y de llevarlos a otro lugar donde pueden ser utilizados en sus operaciones. Odyssey mantendni un
listado del cualquier equipo que
se ha sacado y 10 entregani junto con la
documentaci6n de aduanas confdencialmente siempre que el Estado espafiollo solicite por escrito. Odyssey garantiza que nada de este equipo supone prueba alguna que pudiese contener informacion 0 que pudiese ser utilizado para demostrar que se han llevado a cabo actividades ilegales dentro de las aguas territoriales espanolas.
34. Odyssey pretende infonnar a la Guardia Civil y las alltaridades espanolas de S1l plan de salida can anterioridad a esta can el fin de coordinar can seguridad una in5pecci6n de los buques de Odyssey.
35. En repuesta alas informaciones falsas y confusas de la prensa espafiola y dado
que se Ie ha negado 5er oido a Odyssey contra la alegada orden judicial penal
decretado en su contra ,
he preparado
esta Declaraci6n Jurada con el fin
aclarar la informaci6n incierta que ha aparecido en la prensa espanola en tamo a las actividades de Odyssey.
CERTIFICO QUE LO ANTERIOR ES VERDADERO Y CORRCTO SEGUN SABER Y ENTENDER
Este doclimento
es
c01zfdellcial y solo para el
Zlsa del recipiellte
1/11
designado. No debe
ser distribuida a cllalquier parte sin autorizacion de
oficial 0 representante legal de
Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc.
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
Document 25-2
Filed 08/07/2007
Page 26 of 52
Gregory Stemm Co-Fundador de Odyssey Maline Exploration Inc
ESTADO DE FLORIA
CONDADO DE HI LSBOROUGH
El citado docurnento fue atestado por rni el 5. Julio de 2007.
Conozco
personalrnente al finnante.
Notario Publico
Betsy W. Marrero
No. De Comision DD0374815
Expira: Nov 28 , 2008 Fiador por Florida Notary Assn. , Inc.
Allen von Spiegelfeld Letrado de Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc
ESTADO DE FLORIA CONDADO DE HILSBOROUGH
El citado docurnento fue atestado par rni el 5 Julio de 2007.
Conozco
personalrnente al firmante.
Notaro Publico
Gayla M. Arold
No. De Comision DD598439
Expira: Sep 24, 2010 Fiador par Atlantic Bonding Co. Inc.
Este documento es cOl1fidencial y solo para ell/so del recipiel1te designado. No debe
ser distribuido a cllalqllier parte sin autorizacion de un aficial 0 representante legal de Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc.
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
Document 25-2
Filed 08/07/2007
Page 27 of 52
MARINE EXPLORATION
YSSEY
TO
EXHIT A (COMPOSITE)
SWORN STATElVNT
Black Swan Press Release on May 18
and
Clarif Statements on
May 21, 2007
ANXO A (COlVUESTO)
DE CLAR
CION
JUA
Nota da Prense del Black Swan de 18 de mayo
Clarifique las Dec)araciones de 21 de mayo de 2007
I/se This docl/ment is conjidr!/tfof and inlr!/ded onlyfor the
of the recipient. II shUllld not be distributed to an)' pnrty wl/hollt
nllthori otloll of 1111OffcrJ Dr legllJ represrmtlllfve IIfOdysse)' Mllrine E..plormfOllllle. EslE! documellto es cm!ldIJllclalJ' sofo para e( !ISOde reclpJell/J deslgnadD. Na dehe ser dlstribl/idD 0 cllofqufer parte S;/I t:lIlori:oclcin
de WI oficiaf represcnll/Itc legal de
Or/J'sse)' Morioe E;rpfomtioo Inc.
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
Document 25-2
Filed 08/07/2007
Page 28 of 52
Press Release
Saurce: Odyssey Marine Exploration
Odyssey s Latest Shipwreck Find Yields over 500 000
Silver and Gold Coins
Friday May 16, 9:15 am ET
World' s Largest Historical Shipwreck Coin Recovery Produces Record 17 Tons of Silver Currency
TAMPA. Fla. -(BUSINESS WIRE)-Odyssey Marine Exploration (AMEX OMR News) . 1he world' leader In the field of deep-ocean shipwreck exploration announced today that it has completed the predisturbance archaeo!ogical survey and preliminary excavation of a Colonial period shipwreck site code-named "Black Swan" in an undisclosed location in the Atlantic Ocean.
The artfac!s recovered from the sIte include aver 500, 000 silver coins weighing more than 17 tans,
hundreds of gold coins, worked gold , and other artfacts, All recDvered Items have been legally Imported into the Unites States and placed in a secure , undisclosed location where they are undergoIng conservation and documentation.
It is believed that 1h is recovery constitutes the largest collection of coins ever excavated from a hlstorlca! shipwreck site. They were recovered In conformity with Salvage Law and the Law of the Sea Convention, beyond thE! territorial waters or legaljurisdiction of any country. The Company does not belIeve that the recovery is subject to sovereign immunity by any nation pursuant to the Law of tie Sea Convention.
The work accomplished to date on this site has diligently followed archaeological protocols usIng advanced robotic techno1ogy, and the artfacts are now undergoIng a meticulous conservation process by some of the world' s most experienced coin conservators. The Company is not prepared to disclose the possible identity of the shIpwreck at 1his UmE!, and may only do so after thoroughly examining the artfacts, analyzing the research and proving the identity, if possible , of the shipwreck. Our research suggests that there were a number of Colonial period shipwrecks that were lost in the area where this site Is located , so we are being very cautious about speculating as to the possible Identity of the shipwreck, " said John Morris, Odyssey Co-founder and CEO. "Nevertheless, we have treated thIs sIte with kid gloves and the archaeological work done by our team out there is unsurpassed. We are thoroughly documenting and recording the site , which we believe wil have immense historical sign!fcance.
The remarkable condition of most of the first 6 000 silver coins conserved has been a pleasant
surprise , and the gold coins are almost all dazzling mint state specImens " said Greg Stemm, Odyssey s Co-founder. "We are excited by the wide range of dates, origIns and varieties of the coIns,
and we believe that the collecting community will be thriled when they see the quality and dIversity of the collection."
The excavation of this site follows Odyssey s successful excavation of the 5S RepublicO, a shipwreck lost in 1865 off the US coasl The deep ocean robotic archaeological excavation of that site produced approximately 65, 000 artfacts , IncludIng over 50, 000 coIns with a retail value of over $75 mIllion.
The company is continuing operations on several other projects with its ships and ROV systems , and Is currently awaiting the appointment of Spanish archaeologists following an arrangement wIth the
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
Document 25-2
Filed 08/07/2007
Page 29 of 52
Spanish Government and the Junta of Andalucia prior to resuming operations on the Sussex project pursuant to an agreement with the UK Government
For security reasons, as with the " Black Swan" projec the company may only announce the results of the other current projects after completion of the excavations or deJlvery of the artifacts to a safe location.
About Odyssey Marine Exploration
Odyssey Marine Exploratiol1 is a Publicly Traded US Company with several shIpwreck projects in various stages of development throughout the world. Additional information about Odyssey, the " Black WI.shlpwreck.net. Swan " project, and the Company s other activities is available at
For addltonal1nfofmatlon, p!ease contact Natja Igney. Odyssey s Manager of Corporate
Commun!catlons, at 813-876-1776 ext 2553.
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. Certin factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected In the forward-looking statements are set fort in "Risk Factors" in the Part I. Item 1A or the Company s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 , which has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Odyssey Marine Exploration Tampa Natja Igney, 813- 876- 1776 x 2553
nigney shipwreck . net
Source: Odyssey Marine Exploration
Case 8:07-cv-00614-SCB-MAP
Document 25-2
Filed 08/07/2007
Page 30 of 52
Odyssey Provides
Black Swan Shipwreck Information Update
Tampa
Swan intense international media coverage has led to many questions that the Company would like to address.
2007- Since the announcemeot by Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. FL - May Black (AMEX:OMR) of the recovery of over 500 000 coins from the shipwreck code-named
In addition to the following Questions and answers additional Information on the shipwreck can Black Swan be accessed In the Question and Answer " section of Odyssey s website at shipwreck. net, or a copy may be obtained by contacting the Company.
What is the Company s position on this?
1. It has been widely reported that this shipwreck could be worth up to $500 millon.
other than to estimate
The Company has not estimated the total potential value of the shipwreck
on a preliminary basis a wide range of potential retail prices based on the coins that have been conserved to date.
What we know
we have recovered over 500, 000 silver coins weighing over 17 tons along with some gold coins and other artifacts. After conservation of the first 6, 000 colns we requested that a numismatIst and one of the world' s most experienced coin morketers, Nick Bruyer inspect the coins and provide an opinion of the retail pricing that we could expect from the collection.
15 that
Based on Mr. Bruyer s opinion, Odyssey reported that we expected the retail pricing of the silver coins to range from several hundred to four thousand dollars per coin. This wIde range of prices would depend on the condltlon origin and date of the Individual coins. We understand that in a separate Interview with a reporter, Mr. Bruyer provided his opinion that the mean retail prlce of the coins could be approximately $1, 000 based on the small sample of coins that he inspected. This was reported as a potential $500 millon retal! value for the coins, which explains where that
figure origInated.
Odyssey s position is that until all the coins are conserved documented and graded it is impossible to know what the entire collection would bring at retaIJ, Based on the coins that have been conserved to date and that he has been able to inspect , we are comfortable with Mr. Black Swan will bring from several hundred to four Bruyer s opinion that coins from the thousand dollars per coin retail. These are estimates that could change significantly when the rest
of the coins are conserved and do not include the cost of marketing and sales so actual revenue to Odyssey would be much lower than retail sales prIces.
For more Information on the marketing and pricing of coins
Black Swan
see questions 2 ,
8 and 12 in the
Q ond A"
2. There have been reports that the
including
HMS
Sussex
and the
Merchant Royal.
Black Swan is a number of different shipwrecks Are any of these reports correct?
Black Swan was not
Beyond that
We can confirm that the
Sussex and that the Black Swan is not HMS found in waters anywhere near the shfpwreck believed to be HMS Sussex.
an area In which a number of Colonial-era Shipwrecks were believed to be lost. The
cannot confirm the identity of the shipwreck because we are not certaIn ourselves. The site is
Black Swan but some of the evidence gathered to date bears characteristics of one shipwreck In partlcuIar inconsistent with our research, so we want to be sure of the identity before we announce it.
3. It has been reported that the Spanish Government is engaging in a " probe Odyssey because it is " suspicious "
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