Odyssey Finds New Shipwrecks and Heads to TV in 2009

Florida treasure-hunting firm Odyssey Marine Exploration struck jackpots last week with huge announcements.

On top of two new shipwreck site finds, Odyssey will be in front of millions of people worldwide in a new prime time TV series on the Discovery Channel.

Odyssey filed admiralty arrests in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on two shipwrecks sites in the English Channel. According to a company statement,

The sites both contain cannon and other artifacts which are believed to date from the Colonial period. Odyssey has conducted preliminary surveys but has not yet been able to confirm the identity of either site.

The company said the sites were in international waters and they were currently planning the excavation and conservation of each.

In news earlier in the week, Odyssey also announced that they would be seen in a 11-part High Definition (HD) series on the Discovery Channel to premiere in 2009.

John Ford, president and general manager of Discovery Channel, was quoted as saying:

“This series will give our viewers a front row seat as Odyssey’s archaeological and forensics teams search for sunken treasures and unravel the mysteries of long-lost shipwrecks.

“This compelling 11-part series will show viewers the intense drama of underwater detective work and we are excited to have JWM creating this series for our audiences around the globe.”

The Discovery Channel is watched in countries around the world by hundreds of millions of people. Viewers will get to see "the Odyssey Marine Exploration team as they brave high seas, heavy weather, political red tape and courtroom clashes to keep their research vessels and deep ocean equipment operational on the hunt for underwater archaeological sites and shipwrecks that each have unique stories to tell."

It should be exciting!