Spanish Court Orders Search of Ships-(these are USA registered Ships)

ap ^ | 6/7/07 | By Ciaran Giles, Associated Press Writer

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

Diplomatic row over Odyssey sees contingency measures in place

gibfocus - 7th June 2007
(2007-06-07 08:40:00 )

The continued diplomatic row over the activities of Odyssey Marine Exploration has led to back scene contingency plans tabled in the event of the tensions between Spain, UK and the US escalating over the origins of a £250 million treasure trove discovered by the company.

Following the transportation of the treasure to the US, Spain has called upon both the UK and US Governments to provide details on the treasure and its origins, asking for them to demand that the company reveals the origins of the treasure. The Spanish Government has raised suspicions that the shipwreck in which the treasure was discovered was found within Spanish territorial waters.

With orders issued by a Spanish court to arrest the two vessels operating for Odyssey Marine Exploration, gibfocus understands that contingency plans have been tabled which could see a deployment of special unit forces to Gibraltar to protect the vessel presently berthed at the Naval Base.

With both the US and UK Government continuing to maintain their silence, and the main debate taken up by Spain’s Ministry of Culture, political observers have pointed out that the absence of comment from the foreign ministry of each country continues to highlight the sensitivity of the issue.

Observers have indicated that Spain’s decision to arrest the vessel could lead to a further increase in tensions as a dispute over what Spain recognises as British territorial waters could be tested by the latest claims over the treasure.

Informed sources have in the meantime revealed that there are plans for an unscheduled military exercise to take place in Gibraltar within the coming days, with specialised forces used to protect maritime installations and vessels deployed to Gibraltar. Although there are no official details over the planned exercise, reports have linked the tabled plans to the continuing debate over the origins of the treasure.

Experts have nevertheless pointed out that since the debate is centred around a foreign vessel, which would be outside Gibraltar and Britain’s own jurisdiction if arrested or boarded outside of Gibraltar waters, the intervention of Britain in the arrest would be unlikely due to the political sensitivities that surround the whole issue.

The same experts have, however, also indicated that whilst within Gibraltar waters, and under the protection afforded by the Naval Base, the agreement between Odyssey Marine Exploration and the Ministry of Defence places the latter in a sensitive and politically awkward position since it would have to afford the vessels its protection whilst within its jurisdiction.

This has been seen locally as adding to the tensions, with many locals questioning the lack of intervention of the Gibraltar Government as the Odyssey Marine Exploration debate is seen as adding unwanted pressure on the relations between Gibraltar and Spain at a time when close co-operation agreements have only just been put in place following last year’s tripartite agreement.
http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1393

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

Spain’s attempts to retake Gibraltar

http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1393

Gibraltar DOES look like a wild place on the home page of this Gibraltar news website

[expatguy]

Return of the Barbary Pirates?

[SunkenCiv]

They collect rainwater for drinking etc., they’ve got monkeys who live there (transplants), and are a popular weekend spot (so I’ve heard). Skiers lose Rolexes, and a small group in the know skin dive down to find ‘em, making it a paid vacation. ;’)

[brazzaville]

Good morning.
“...if those guys were looting Spanish territorial waters.”

What are the laws concerning salvage? Is salvage really looting, or are governments engaging in theft when they demand treasure recovered from the bottom of the sea?

Michael Frazier

[discostu]

There’s always a psychotic pissing contest when sunken treasures are found. The country the sunken ship came from (usually Spain for whatever reason), the country nearest to where the wreck was found, and the country the treasure hunters are from always do crazy things. That’s why secrecy is so important to wreck divers, if there’s a South or Central American country involved secrecy is frequently the only thing that gets them out alive.

[Gideon Reader]

Cap’n John Edwards the Master of the “Silken Pony”, is a 90% owner of the recovered booty. (somehow I think the words “booty” has a special place in Silky’s heart)

I do not think the U.S.Navy needs to play personal enforcer/booty guard for a Presidential candidate, whose stock in trade is crapping on the U.S. and playing footsie with excremental alleged actors like the Hugo Chavez/Fidel Castro, ass-kisser:Danny Glover. (who looked best and completely at home with a toilet seat around his neck in some B-flick)

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

gibfocus - 7th June 2007
(2007-06-07 20:55:00 )

British Officials have no knowledge of any deployment of British troops for Odyssey protection

British officials have today commented that they have no knowledge of a deployment of British troops to Gibraltar in relation to the protection of Odyssey Marine Exploration vessels. Whilst neither confirming or dismissing the reports, officials have today indicated to Gibfocus that they are not aware of any agreement or plans to deploy British troops to Gibraltar to protect Odyssey vessels on their part.

Following a report published by gibfocus in which informed sources have indicated that plans for a contingency plan has been tabled which could see a deployment of special unit forces to Gibraltar to protect the vessel presently berthed at the Naval Base, British officials have tonight merely claimed to have no knowledge of any such plan being made by them.

Gibfocus sources have claimed that an unscheduled military exercise is due to take place in Gibraltar within the coming days, with specialised forces used to protect maritime installations and vessels deployed to Gibraltar. Although there are no official details over the planned exercise, reports have linked the tabled plans to the continuing debate over the origins of the treasure. British officials have, however, commented that if any exercise existed it could be pure coincidence, and that they had no knowledge at the time of any such exercise.

The British Embassy in Madrid has also been quoted today as highlighting that the only agreement that exists with the US salvage company is for the use of the base to berth and load and unload cargos and equipment, with no agreement entered into for the protection of the vessels.

Political observers have nevertheless pointed out that the presence of Odyssey Marine Exploration has led to an awkward situation in which the MoD has a responsibility to protect vessels whilst within its jurisdiction. Although the same experts have pointed out that outside Admiralty waters the British Government has no further responsibility other than to protect Gibraltar maritime laws from being breached.

Whilst sources have indicated that plans for deployment of troops are believed to have been outlined, the origins of the troops and nationality has as yet not been confirmed.

In the meantime the warnings that the Spanish navy or Guardia Civil has been ordered to arrest the two Odyssey Marine Exploration vessels has seen local authorities monitoring the presence of Spanish vessels within the bay area. Officials indicating that they are aware of Spanish patrols within the vicinity of the bay.

http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1400

[PghBaldy]

I agree at this time it would seem to be inappropriate to have the US Navy involved, but if laws mean anything they should apply to all equally and without prejudice. Edward’s is a bum, but if the Co is entitled, it is entitled.