Odyssey Marine To Survey the Lusitania
It's the doldrums. Not much news. Odyssey has several sites arrested but is not offering any information concerning them. Of course, the Spanish has the Black Swan mired in court and a conclusion is at least a year away. There is the future Discovery Channel series which should thrust OME into the limelight and perhaps make it a household name. Everyone loves a treasure hunt.
There is a new bit of news. Gregg Bemis, the owner of the wreck of the Lusitania, has contracted Odyssey Marine Exploration (OME) to conduct the survey. Bemis will join the crew on board the Odyssey Explorer, the survey vessel, as they collect photographic and video data and assess the condition of the wreck.
The Department of the Environment’s Underwater Archaeology Unit will join the team on the survey to ensure that the research is carried out in a non-invasive manner. The survey team will employ Zeus II, a remotely operated vehicle equipped with the latest high-definition video cameras and underwater lighting. The Lusitania is 300ft below sea level and Zeus can reach 8,200ft.
John Gormley, the minister for the environment, said it is hoped that the survey will lead to a greater understanding of the events leading to the sinking of “one of the most fascinating and tragic vessels in Irish and first world war terms”.
It's not going to help OME's bottom line much but at least it's good PR.
Full Story: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article4364701.ece