DEMA Delegates Can Enter Contest at Florida Keys Pavilion to Dive Working Spanish Galleon Wrecksite
Visitors to the Florida Keys pavilion at DEMA Orlando can register to win an archeological treasure dive trip to the salvage site of the Spanish galleon Santa Margarita, sunk off Key West in 1622.
During the Oct. 31-Nov. 3 show, divers searching for the wrecksite of the Margarita will be at the Florida Keys pavilion (booths 1166-1175), displaying artifacts and treasure found along the trail of the 1622 shipwreck.
Salvors from Blue Water Ventures Key West made international news in June when they recovered artifacts and treasure - including two gold bars, eight gold chains with a combined length of about 30 feet and a lead box later found to contain more than 5,000 pearls - buried beneath the ocean floor in approximately 18 feet of water about 40 miles west of Key West.
Blue Water's find, expected to appraise at $3 million to $5 million, was hailed as the largest on the Margarita trail since pioneering salvor Mel Fisher's landmark discovery of 1980. Blue Water has been searching for the remainder of the Margarita wrecksite for two years under a joint-venture agreement with Motivation Inc., headed by the late Mel Fisher's son, Kim Fisher.
Blue Water CEO Keith Webb, head archaeologist and partner Dr. R. Duncan Mathewson and salvage boat captains Dan Porter and Greg Bounds are to be onsite at DEMA's Keys pavilion to tell the story of their search.
Before DEMA ends on Nov. 3, one lucky delegate will be awarded an archaeological treasure dive trip for two to the working Margarita site during the 2008 salvage season. The prize also includes accommodations for three nights at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort (http://www.grandkeyresort.com) in Key West.
"The winner will have the opportunity to dive with Greg Bounds and others as they track the Margarita's trail of treasure," said Mathewson, who was head archaeologist for Fisher during his Margarita and Nuestra Señora de Atocha searches and discoveries.
Mathewson is to sign copies of his book, "Treasure of the Atocha," at the Keys pavilion and books are to be given away to DEMA delegates during daily drawings.
Industry professionals who visit the Keys pavilion also can register to win a weeklong dive trip to the Florida Keys during the "Drive and Dive" contest to be held during the show. The prize for two includes dive charters and accommodations in each Keys region, as well as a rental car and ScubaPro dive equipment to use and own.
For more information about Blue Water Ventures and the Margarita search, visit www.bluewaterventureskw.com. For more information about the Florida Keys & Key West, visit www.fla-keys.com.
Visitors to the Florida Keys pavilion at DEMA Orlando can register to win an archeological treasure dive trip to the salvage site of the Spanish galleon Santa Margarita, sunk off Key West in 1622.
During the Oct. 31-Nov. 3 show, divers searching for the wrecksite of the Margarita will be at the Florida Keys pavilion (booths 1166-1175), displaying artifacts and treasure found along the trail of the 1622 shipwreck.
Salvors from Blue Water Ventures Key West made international news in June when they recovered artifacts and treasure - including two gold bars, eight gold chains with a combined length of about 30 feet and a lead box later found to contain more than 5,000 pearls - buried beneath the ocean floor in approximately 18 feet of water about 40 miles west of Key West.
Blue Water's find, expected to appraise at $3 million to $5 million, was hailed as the largest on the Margarita trail since pioneering salvor Mel Fisher's landmark discovery of 1980. Blue Water has been searching for the remainder of the Margarita wrecksite for two years under a joint-venture agreement with Motivation Inc., headed by the late Mel Fisher's son, Kim Fisher.
Blue Water CEO Keith Webb, head archaeologist and partner Dr. R. Duncan Mathewson and salvage boat captains Dan Porter and Greg Bounds are to be onsite at DEMA's Keys pavilion to tell the story of their search.
Before DEMA ends on Nov. 3, one lucky delegate will be awarded an archaeological treasure dive trip for two to the working Margarita site during the 2008 salvage season. The prize also includes accommodations for three nights at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort (http://www.grandkeyresort.com) in Key West.
"The winner will have the opportunity to dive with Greg Bounds and others as they track the Margarita's trail of treasure," said Mathewson, who was head archaeologist for Fisher during his Margarita and Nuestra Señora de Atocha searches and discoveries.
Mathewson is to sign copies of his book, "Treasure of the Atocha," at the Keys pavilion and books are to be given away to DEMA delegates during daily drawings.
Industry professionals who visit the Keys pavilion also can register to win a weeklong dive trip to the Florida Keys during the "Drive and Dive" contest to be held during the show. The prize for two includes dive charters and accommodations in each Keys region, as well as a rental car and ScubaPro dive equipment to use and own.
For more information about Blue Water Ventures and the Margarita search, visit www.bluewaterventureskw.com. For more information about the Florida Keys & Key West, visit www.fla-keys.com.
