Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. v. The Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel

Filing 32

MOTION for preliminary injunction by Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Von Spiegelfeld, Allen)

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Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. v. The Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel Doc. 32 Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 1 of 18 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA Tampa Division In Admiralty ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INe. Plaintiff CIVIL ACTION Case No: 8:07-CV-00616-JSM-MSS THE UNIDENTIFIED SHIPWRECKED VESSEL its apparel, tackle, appurtenances and cargo located within a five mile radius of the center coordinates provided to the Court under seal Defendant; in rem and The Kingdom of Spain Claimant. PLAINTIFF' S MOTION FOR ORDER GRANTING PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF Plaintiff, Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (" Odyssey ), by its undersigned counsel , hereby moves for entry of an Order granting a preliminary injunction temporarily enjoining and prohibiting any third parties from conducting search and/or recovery operations or conducting activities that would disturb the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel in any manner or that would interfere with Odyssey s exclusive rights to recover the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel, its apparel , tackle, appurtenances and cargo located within a five mile Dockets.Justia.com ). Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 2 of 18 radius of the center point coordinates of which have been provided to the Court under seal Shipwrecked Vessel" (hereinafter referred to as the "Unidentified Plaintiff warants to the Court that it shall monitor evidence of activity related to the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel and give notice of the Order to any third party coming within the area of the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel. The grounds supporting this motion are set forth in the accompanymg memorandum of law, which is incorporated herein by reference. Respectfully submitted Dated: August 6, 2007 s/ Allen von Spiegelfeld Allen von Spiegelfeld - FBN 256803 avonsp fowlerwhite. com Eric C. Thiel - FBN 016267 ethiel fowlerwhi te. com FOWLER WHITE BOGGS BANKER P. O. Box 1438 Tampa, Florida 33601 (813) 228-7411 Facsimile: (813) 229- 8313 Attorneys for Plaintiff , /: Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 3 of 18 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA Tampa Division In Admiralty ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC. Plaintiff CNIL ACTION : Case No: 8:07-CV-00616-JSM-MSS THE UNIDENTIFIED SHIPWRECKED VESSEL its apparel, tackle, appurtenances and cargo located within a five mile radius of the center coordinates provided to the Court under seal Defendant; in rem and The Kingdom of Spain Claimant PLAINTIFF' S MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF ITS MOTION FOR ORDER GRATING PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF Plaintiff, Odyssey Marne Exploration, Inc. (" Odyssey ), by its undersigned counsel , respectfully submits this memorandum oflaw in support of its motion for entry of an Order granting a preliminary injunction temporarily enjoining and prohibiting any third parties from conducting search and/or recovery operations or conducting activities that would disturb the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel in any manner or that would interfere with Odyssey s exclusive rights to recover the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel, its apparel, tackle, appurtenances and cargo located Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 4 of 18 within a five mile radius of the center point coordinates of which have been provided to the Court under seal (hereinafter referred to as the "Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel" BACKGROUND The Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel rests on the sea floor at a depth of approximately 500 meters, beyond the terrtorial waters or contiguous zone of any sovereign nation. It is located in the Mediterranean Sea. The Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel' s position is located within a five mile radius of the center point coordinates which have been provided to the Court under seal. While it is believed that one or two other salvors may have conducted operations in the past relative to the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel, to Odyssey s knowledge and belief, no operations other than those by Odyssey have been conducted within the past year, and no salvor has sought to protect an interest in the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel through an arrest. Odyssey first located the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel in Januar 2006 , using sophisticated sonar and magnetometer equipment. Odyssey has recovered aricles from the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel and is ready and able to conduct further operations to explore and document the shipwreck , consistent with archaeological protocols appropriate for this Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel , and to recover additional arifacts from the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel. When Odyssey first filed the initial Complaint, it had surveyed the wreck site and had begun an archaeological pre-disturbance survey taking video and photographs of the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel. Odyssey believes that the vessel associated with the wreck site is an Italian-registered passenger ship which sank in 1915 during Wodd War I. ," Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 5 of 18 Subsequent to the arrest and this Court' s order appointing Odyssey as Substitute Custodian, Odyssey recovered additional arifacts from the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel which are undergoing conservation according to strict archaeological protocols. Odyssey has prepared a Preliminary Site Assessment (hereinafter PSA") regarding the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel and the artifacts recovered and wil present that to the Court under seal. Odyssey has filed a Motion for Protective Order which references the PSA and the need for assurance that the PSA wil be kept confidential prior to filing. Nothing recovered to date from the subject Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel confirms an interest in the artifacts of any third party including the Kingdom of Spain. Odyssey is prepared to release certain information from the PSA as directed by the Court to Claimant, Spain. On March 25 2007 , the Court directed Odyssey to publish a Notice of Arrest in newspapers in Spain and Italy. Odyssey shall abide by the Court' s order and publish Notice ofthe Arest, however Odyssey submits that given the information garnered from the items recovered thus far there is nothing which would require that the Kingdom of Spain or any other third party be given any more specific information other than the Notice itself and that which is contained in this Amended Complaint and the Exhibits which are part of the public record. Odyssey s survey and recovery operation has been, and wil continue to , conducted in accordance with all appropriate archaeological protocols and under the direction of an experienced nautical archaeologist. Odyssey, its agents and associates, have invested substantial time, money and effort in locating, surveying and photographing the Unidentified Shipwrecked Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 6 of 18 Vessel, and in planning the archaeological recovery of the arifacts from the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel. Odyssey, its agents and associates, have been actively, voluntarily and successfully engaged in the process of reducing arifacts from the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel to the Plaintiffs exclusive custody, possession, dominion and control , as circumstances permit, and Odyssey has the present ability and intention to continue to do so during the pendency of this action. Odyssey s recovery of artifacts from this and other sites has been the subject of intense international media attention especially in Spain. Many Spanish media reports have been filled with inaccuracies including false claims that artifacts were recovered ilegally from Spanish terrtorial waters. As a result of the false reports, and despite Odyssey s continued assurance that no artifacts have been recovered anywhere near Spanish terrtorial waters, Odyssey became the subject of a criminal investigation in Spain. In fact, Odyssey became aware through the Spanish press that Spanish authorities would intercept and inspect Odyssey Explorer) s vessels (the Ocean Alert and the Odyssey if they attempted to depart Gibraltar where they were docked. Odyssey attorneys were denied access to the order, however, and were told that the order was secret." Odyssey s attempts to appear in its defense were unsuccessful. Thus, Odyssey prepared a Sworn Statement of Gregory P. Stemm, Odyssey s Cofounder, explaining Odyssey s actions and the facts surrounding the arrest, the recovery, and the subsequent claims and baseless detention of Odyssey s ships by Spain. (A copy of the Sworn Statement including all Exhibits was attached to the Amended Complaint). Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 7 of 18 Despite the fact that Odyssey provided the Sworn Statement and further information regarding its recovery to Spanish officials , and despite the assurance of the Spanish criminal judge (Judge Juan Jose Navas Blanquez sitting in substitution of the Judge for the Number Three First Instance and Preliminary Investigating Court of La Linea de la Concepcion and district - a different judge from the one who signed the original "secret order ), that Odyssey s vessels would not be boarded without the consent of the Master or forcibly taken to a Spanish port, on July 12 , 2007, while Odyssey was moving its vessel the Ocean Alert from Gibraltar, and while the vessel was in international waters, Spain boarded the vessel under protest from the Master and ilegally seized the vessel forcing it into the Spanish port of Algeciras. Having alerted the Ocean Alert Spanish media to the boarding and seizure, Spanish authorities paraded the along the coastline for photograph and video opportnities. Additionally, despite her protests , officials seized the personal computer of one of Odyssey s attorneys , Marie Rogers , and ilegally copied all attorney/client privileged information regarding Odyssey and other clients. As of the date of this Amended Complaint, the computer has been returned without the hard drive. The original hard drive and copy are retained in the custody of the court. A formal complaint and request for the return of the hard drive and all copies taken has been made to the court and is currently pending decision by the Judge as to the legitimacy of the seizure of the laptop. Once in Algeciras, Odyssey s crew and attorneys were forced by the Spanish officials to sit in the scalding sun for approximately seven hours without food or water or use of the restroom. Their passports were taken (but returned later that day) as were all oftheir electronic equipment (of which the hard drives have been removed and Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 8 of 18 only the empty laptops returned). The Odyssey Explorer remains blockaded in Gibraltar by virte of the criminal order and threatened seizure by Spain. Odyssey s rights granted by this Court to continue its recovery have been restricted by Spain, and Odyssey damages as a result of Spain s conduct are extensive. II. STANDARD FOR GRANTING INJUNCTIVE RELIEF In this Circuit, the four requirements for awarding preliminary injunctive relief are: (1) a substantial likelihood that the party requesting relief wil ultimately succeed on the merits; the party requesting relief wil suffer irreparable injury if the injunction is not issued; that threatened injury to the moving party outweighs harm to the opposing party; and the injunction, if issued, wil not be adverse to the public interest. (2) (3) (4) See Siegel v. Lepore 234 F. 3d 1163 (11 th Cir. 2000); 1561-62 (11 th Cir. 1989), Haitian Refugee Center, Inc. aff' 498 U. S. 479 (1991); Nelson States v. 872 F.2d 1555 , United Alabama 791 F.2d 1450, 1459 no lO (11 h Cir. 1986), cert. denied 479 U. S. 1085 (1987). As set forth below, Odyssey satisfies each of these four requirements. Therefore , an award of a preliminary injunctive relief is appropriate in this matter. III. ARGUMENT There Is A Substantial Likelihood That Odyssey Will Ultimately Succeed On The Merits Of Its Claims This is a salvage case involving admiralty and maritime claims under the ); Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 9 of 18 law of salvage and the law of finds. ! Regardless of which legal theory is ultimately ultimately found to apply to the case, there is a substantial likelihood that Odyssey wil succeed on the merits of either or both of its claims or under its claim for equitable relief based on quantum meruit and unjust enrchment. There Is A Substantial Likelihood That Odyssey Wil Ultimately Succeed On The Merits Of Its Claim Under The Law Of Finds The martime law of finds gives title to a person who has reduced to possession an object which has been abandoned at sea. See Columbus-America Discovery Group v. The Unidentifed, Wrecked and Abandoned Sailng Vessel 974 F. 450 (4 Cir. 1992), cert. denied 507 U. S. 1000 (1993). This doctrine has been consistently recognized in admiralty, and courts have awarded title to shipwrecks to the finder when warranted by the facts. See Treasure Salvors, Inc. v. The Unidentifed, Wrecked and Abandoned Sailng Vessel 569 F.2d 330 337 (5 Salvors 1); Cir. 1978) (Treasure Wrecked Martha s Vineyard Scuba Headquarters, Inc. v. The Unidentifed, As a case involving an admiralty and maritime claim, this Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter pursuant to the Constitution of the United States 1333 , and Rule 9(h) ofthe Federal Rules of Article II , Section 2, Clause 1 , 28 U.S. e. Civil Procedure. Claims arising out of salvage operations are unquestionably within the v. Unidentifed See Treasure Salvors, Inc. admiralty jurisdiction of the federal courts. (Treasure Wrecked and Abandoned Sailng Vessel 640 F.2d 560, 566-67 (5 Cir. 1981) Salvors 111). Furthermore, U. S. admiralty courts unquestionably have jurisdiction to adjudicate salvage claims based on salvage operations that occur on the high seas. See Treasure Salvors 111 640 F.2d at 566-67 ("The subject matter jurisdiction thus granted is not limited to causes of action arising from acts or occurrences on the terrtorial waters res within the United States. Treasure Salvors 1 569 F.2d at 334 ("the presence of the the district is not an absolute prerequisite to the court' s jurisdiction. ). It is common for jurisdiction over shipwrecks located in international S. admiralty courts to assert in rem waters and even within the terrtorial seas of foreign nations. See Marex v. Unidentifed Wrecked and Abandoned Vessel 952 F. Supp. 825 828 (S.D. Ga. 1997); MS. Titanic Bemis Inc. v. The Wrecked and Abandoned Vessel 924 F. Supp. 714 (E.D. Va. 1996); R.M. S. Lusitania, 884 F. Supp. 1042 (B.D. Va. 1995), aff' 99 F. 3d 1129 (4 Cir. 1996), cert. denied 118 S. Ct. 1558 (1998). Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 10 of 18 and Abandoned Vessel 833 F.2d 1059 , 1065 (1 st Cir. 1987); Indian River Recovery The CHINA 645 F. Supp. 141 (D. Del. 1986). A finding of abandonment may be inferred from all of the relevant facts and circumstances, and may be based on circumstantial evidence. Zych v. Unidentifed, Wrecked and Abandoned Vessel Believed to be the LADY ELGIN 755 F. Supp. 213 , 214 (N. D. Ill. 1991), aff' 960 F. 2d 665 (7th Cir. 1992). Under the facts of this case, there is a substantial likelihood that Odyssey wil be able to prove that the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel has been abandoned by its original owner. The Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel is located beyond the terrtorial waters or contiguous zone of any sovereign nation. It is believed to be an Italian-registered passenger ship which san almost a hundred years ago. To Odyssey s information and belief, no third party has made an effort to recover the ship and the wreck has been abandoned altogether. The artifacts recovered have failed to provide evidence which would suggest anything other than an abandonment. Thus, the Court should find that the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel and the arifacts recovered have been abandoned and award title to Odyssey under the maritime law of finds. There Is A Substantial Likelihood That Odyssey Wil Ultimately Succeed On The Merits Of Its Claim Under The Law Of Salvage The common law of salvage applies to property that is lost at sea but has not been abandoned by its original owner. The law of salvage grants a liberal reward to those who voluntarily engage in efforts to save a vessel in peril at sea, and it promotes the orderly recovery of such property. See The BLACKWALL 77 U. S. 1 (1869). It is well recognized that three elements must be established in order to present a salvage claim: ," Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 11 of 18 (1) a marine peril from which the property could not have been rescued without the assistance of the salvor; (2) service voluntarily rendered when not required as a pre-existing duty; and success , in whole or in part, of recovery of the imperilled property. Treasure Salvors, Inc. v. (3) See The SABINE 101 U. S. 384 (1879); The Unidentifed Wrecked and Abandoned Sailing Vessel 930 (S.D. Fla. 1981) 1974)). (citing Legnos v. Nuestra Senora de Atocha 546 F. Supp. 919 h Cir. M/W Olga Jacob 498 F.2d 666 669 (5 Odyssey s activities with respect to the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel satisfy all three of these elements, and therefore is a salvage operation within the meaning of the law. The Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel Is In Marine Peril A marine peril "includes more than the threat of storm, fire or piracy to a vessel in navigation. Treasure Salvors 1 569 F.2d at 337. The concept of marine peril in peril also includes a sunken vessel which is discovered after being long lost but is " stil of being lost through actions ofthe elements. Unidentifed Remains 614 F.2d 1051 (5 Id. See also Platoro Ltd., Inc. h Cir. 1980); Fort Myers Shell Dredging Co. Barge NBC512 404 F.2d 137 , 139 (5 Cir. 1968) (the "peril required in salvage service need not necessarily be one of imminent or absolute danger, either presently or reasonably to be apprehended. ). The Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel is in danger from rival salvors who may attempt to locate and recover it and additional artifacts with " grab buckets " and without regard to archaeological protocols or proper conservation techniques. Thus, the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel satisfies Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 12 of 18 the definition of marne peril because it is "stil the elements. See Treasure Salvors 1 569 in peril of being lost through actions of F.2d at 337. Odyssey Is Voluntarly Rendering Service When Not Required As A Pre- Existing Duty Odyssey is under no duty to recover the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel. Instead, it is voluntarily rendering service to rescue the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel from being lost forever through the action of the elements in the sea and from the possibility that the artifacts wil be hastily recovered by salvors without regard for the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel' s historic and archaeological value. Accordingly, Odyssey has satisfied the second element of a salvage claim. Odyssey Is Substantially Likely To Succeed, In Whole Or In Part, In Recovering The Imperiled Property Odyssey has already demonstrated that it is capable of finding, surveying and photographing a large wreck site beneath 500 meters depth or deeper. Odyssey is ready, wiling and able to continue its recovery operations. Moreover, Odyssey has the equipment , manpower and experience required to successfully complete archaeological recovery operations. Odyssey desires to resume its search for and recover additional artifacts from the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel. Odyssey has taken constructive possession of the wreck site to the extent its age, depth and historical significance permit. Accordingly, Odyssey is substantially likely to succeed in recovering the imperiled property, and it has satisfied the final element of a successful salvage claim. Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 13 of 18 Any Assertion By Spain Or Any Other Potential Claimant That It Has Successfully Refused Salvage Would Be Irrelevant. Insofar as Spain may assert that it has properly refused salvage for all Spanish shipwreck-sites -- irrespective of their location, disposition, and character-- Plaintiff would assert that such would be irrelevant with respect to the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel. As stated, no evidence from the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel confirms that Spain has an interest in the vessel. In any event , Claimant Spain could never satisfy the maritime law s stringent standard for an effective refusal of salvage, insofar as (1) it is not in actual possession ofthe Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel, (2) a prudent mariner would not refuse salvage under circumstances such as this, (3) Plaintiff acted in good faith to recover property and investigated the origin of property; and (4) in any event, a party purporting to disclaim salvage may only do so for its property and not for that owned by other parties. See Merritt Chapman Derrick Wrecking Co. v. United States, 274 U. S. 611 , 613 (1927); Tidewater Salvage, Inc. v. Weyerhaeuser Co., 633 F. 2d 1304, 1307 (9th Cir.1980). Courts have made it a legal presumption that owners of property lost at sea desire to have their property salvaged, and the burden would necessarly rest on a pary to conclusively prove that they had effectively refused salvage services. See MS. Titanic, Inc. Haver 171 F. 3d 943 963 (4th Cir. 1999). Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel is Located Beyond the Terrtorial Sea or Contiguous Zone of any Nation. No nation may interfere with shipwreck recovery activities, unless such are occurrng within that nation s terrtorial sea or contiguous zone. A nation s terrtorial Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 14 of 18 sea is measured from the shoreline (or baselines along the coast) out to a maximum of 12 nautical miles. A nation s contiguous zone is (as the name implies) contiguous with a terrtorial sea, and extends out a maximum of an additional 12 nautical miles, making for a total maximum of24 nautical miles. See United States v. Hidalgo-Gato 703 F.2d 1267 (11 th Cir. 1983). Even in a nation s contiguous zone, a coastal state s competence is United States v. McRary, limited. See 665 F.2d 674 677 n.4 (5 h Cir. Unit B 1982) (" the control of the United States over foreign boats in the contiguous zone is limited to the enforcement of customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary regulations. The Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel is not located within the terrtorial sea or contiguous zone of any nation. Plaintiffs have already filed with this Court , under seal, coordinates of the area in which the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel is located. Odyssey wil file under seal a nautical char depicting the location of the site described in the subject Amended Complaint. It is undisputed that the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel is not located within 24 nautical miles of any nation s coastline, and is thus not within any nation s terrtorial sea or contiguous zone. Odyssey Wil Suffer Irreparable Iniury If Iniunctive Relief Is Not Issued Odyssey has expended considerable resources in locating, studying and surveying the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel, in photographing and documenting the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel, and in developing an archaeological excavation and conservation plan as well as in recovering the artifacts and in preserving their historical value. Odyssey has committed its financial resources, time, manpower, equipment and its vessels to these efforts. To allow others to come in at this time and reap the benefits of Odyssey s labor would constitute irreparable harm and injury to Odyssey for which there Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 15 of 18 would be no adequate remedy at law. See Treasure Salvors 546 F. Supp. at 929; Deep Cal. 1995), Sea Research, Inc. aff' v. The Brother Jonathan 883 F. Supp. 1343 , 1362 (N. D. Cir. 1997), 102 F. 3d 379 (9 aff' d in part, vacated in part and remanded 118 S. Ct. 144 (1998). As the Fifth Circuit explained in Treasure Salvors III: A salvor. . . has a valuable interest in his salvage operations which the law protects by vesting in the salvor certain rights. Among the most important of these rights are the right to exclude others from paricipating in the salvage operations , so long as the original salvor appears ready, wiling and able to complete the salvage project, and the right to possession of the salved property, a right exclusive even of the owner, until such time as the salvage lien on the property is extinguished or adequate security for this obligation is given. 640 F. 2d at 567. Odyssey risks violation of its legal rights and substantial investment to date if the Court does not award preliminary injunctive relief. Consequently, the Court should enter a preliminar injunction protecting Odyssey s continued right to exclusive possession of the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel, and protecting it from interference from rival salvors. Odyssey s Potential Iniury Outweighs The Iniury Of Any Other Party Odyssey is the only party which has expended any resources in the search for and recovery of the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel. Further, the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel is located beyond the terrtorial waters or contiguous zone of any sovereign nation. There is no evidence currently which would confirm the interest of any third party to the site or to the arifacts recovered therefrom. Odyssey s knowledge and belief, no operations other then those by Odyssey have been Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 16 of 18 conducted within the past year and no salvor has sought to reduce the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel to its possession or to protect the Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel through an arrest. Consequently, Odyssey s potential injury outweighs the injury of any other pary, since Odyssey wil suffer serious irreparable injury if an injunction is not issued , and it is unlikely that any other party wil suffer injury if preliminar injunctive relief is awarded to Odyssey. An Iniunction Wil Not Be Adverse To The Public Interest Odyssey is committed to recovering the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel in a manner that benefits the public interest. The recovery operation and artifact preservation has been and wil continue to be conducted in accordance with strict archaeological protocols. Furthermore, Odyssey intends to make certain of the recovered arifacts available for public display and educational purposes as well as historic and scientific study. Consequently, the issuance of an injunction wil not be adverse to the public interest. To the contrary, the issuance of a preliminar injunction permitting Odyssey to conduct a competent, safe, scientific and successful recovery of the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel can only benefit the public interest. See Treasure Salvors 546 F. Supp. at 929. IV. CONCLUSION For the foregoing reasons, Odyssey respectfully requests that the Court grant its motion for entry of an Order granting a preliminary injunction temporarily enjoining and prohibiting any third parties from conducting search and/or recovery operations or conducting activities that would disturb the Unidentified Shipwrecked Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 17 of 18 Vessel in any maner or that would interfere with Odyssey s exclusive rights to salvage the Defendant Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel within the areas described in the Complaint. Respectfully submitted Dated: August 6, 2007 s/ Allen von S?iegelfeld Allen von Spiegelfeld - FBN 256803 avonsp~fowlerwhite. com Eric C. Thiel- FBN 016267 ethiel~fow lerwhite. com FOWLER WHITE BOGGS BANKER P. O. Box 1438 Tampa , Florida 33601 (813) 228-7411 Facsimile: (813) 229- 8313 Attorneys for Plaintiff Case 8:07-cv-00616-JSM-MSS Document 32 Filed 08/07/2007 Page 18 of 18 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that on August 6, 2007, I electronically filed the foregoing with the Clerk of the Court by using the CM/ECF system which wil send a notice of electronic filing to James A. Goold, Covington & Burling LLP , 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. , NW, Washington DC 20004, Attorneys for Claimant, Kingdom of Spain. s/ Allen von Spiegelfeld Allen von Spiegelfeld - FBN 256803 avonsp~fowlerwhite. com Eric C. Thiel- FBN 016267 ethiel~fowlerwhite. com FOWLER WHITE BOGGS BANKER P. O. Box 1438 Tampa, Florida 33601 (813) 228-7411 Facsimile: (813) 229- 8313 Attorneys for Plaintiff

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