August is vacation time in most of Europe and in the US as well. Not much is happening right now with regards to Spain, the Black Swan, and Odyssey Marine. The Odyssey Explorer is still docked in Gibraltar; the Ocean Alert, the ship that was stopped and searched by Spain, is docked in Falmouth Harbour. I would think that the action will pick up on September 19th. which is the deadline for a response by Spain to Odyssey's complaint.
Currently, Odyssey Marine has arrested three shipwrecks sites. There is some confusion as to whether or not the 17 tons of treasure that was recovered from the "Black Swan" is one of the arrested sites. If not, then Odyssey has FOUR shipwreck sites as well as the Sussex. It has been suggested that the site at Lands End is that of the Merchant Royal. The outcome of these initial court proceedings are important for Odyssey and will be watched very closely.
http://casedocs.justia.com/florida/flmdce/8:2006cv01685/186117/43/0.pdf
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TAMPA DIVISION
ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC.,
Plaintiff,
v. CASE NO: 8:06-cv-1685-T-23TBM
UNIDENTIFIED, SHIPWRECKED VESSEL
OR VESSELS,
Defendant(s),
ORDER
Pursuant to Rules 55(c) and 60(b), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Kingdom
of Spain moves (Doc. 28) to vacate the default judgment entered on May 31, 2007
(Doc. 25), which motion is unopposed by the plaintiff. Accordingly, the motion to vacate
judgment (Doc. 28) is GRANTED and the default judgment (Doc. 25) is VACATED.
Also, the Kingdom of Spain moves under Rule 12(e) for a more definite statement
(Doc. 28). Because the plaintiff has amended the complaint (Doc. 35), the motion for a
more definite statement (Doc. 28) is DENIED AS MOOT. Finally, the Kingdom of
Spain’s unopposed motion (Doc. 40) for an extension of time to (1) respond to the
amended complaint and (2) respond to the plaintiff’s motion for protective order is
GRANTED. On or before September 19, 2007, the Kingdom of Spain shall respond to
the amended complaint (Doc. 35) and the motion for protective order (Doc. 38).
ORDERED in Tampa, Florida, on August 17, 2007.