[ScaniaBoy]

Very good and concise recapitulation of the legal affairs surrounding the maritime treasure finds.

One may mention (although it is implicit in your post) that this has very much to to do with greed - greed of the various states/governments. For instance Spain which is so keen to protect its national heritage on international waters, "strangely" enough also claims ownership of the British wreck HMS Sussex that lies off Gibraltar in international waters.

[SES1066]

For instance Spain which is so keen to protect its national heritage on international waters, "strangely" enough also claims ownership of the British wreck HMS Sussex that lies off Gibraltar in international waters.

Anyone who expects consistency from ANY GOVERNMENT in any area OTHER THAN in its own interests is fooling themselves into the mad house! As Machiavelli stated in "The Prince" the Prince / State (The State is I - Sun King Louis of France), the State has only self-interest!