http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19058333/
According to the news story first released by elpais.com, the Civil Guard will position itself at the entrance of the port of Gibraltar to intercept the ships when they enter Spanish waters. The ships, the Odyssey Explorer and the Ocean Alert, might have been involved in the recent treasure recovery of the "Black Swan" which many believe to be that of the Merchant Royal.
In any case, the order will not be able to be executed unless the boats enter waters under Spanish jurisdiction since the capture cannot be carried out in international or British waters.
Spain last month filed claims in a U.S. federal court over Odyssey's find, arguing that if the shipwrecked vessel was Spanish or was removed from its waters, any treasure would belong to the country.
Odyssey insists the shipwreck was outside any country's territorial waters but would not give the exact location or name of the ship. It has said the treasure of gold and silver coins was flown back to the United States from Gibraltar.
In Britain, the find generated press reports that Odyssey had salvaged the wreck of the long-sought British vessel Merchant Royal, which sank in bad weather off England in 1641. Odyssey has not confirmed or denied these reports.
Speaking by telephone Tuesday from the United States, Odyssey co-chairman Greg Stemm said Spanish police were welcome to board the ships whenever they wanted.
"Everything we have done we have reported to the Guardia Civil (police). We have invited them on board the ship before and we welcome them to come on board anytime they want to see the ship or inspect what we are doing," said Stemm.
"And we have had a standing invitation for archaeologists from Spain to join us since January of 2006 and we still have that invitation out there," he added. This last remark is in reference to the recovery of the HMS Sussex which has been delayed by Spain's refusal to appoint archaeologists to monitor operations on board Odyssey's ships.