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Spain seizes ship in treasure row Spain seizes ship in treasure row
(about 12 hours later)
The Spanish Civil Guard has intercepted a boat operated by a US company amid a row over treasure from a shipwreck.The Spanish Civil Guard has intercepted a boat operated by a US company amid a row over treasure from a shipwreck.
The guard had been ordered by a Spanish judge to seize the vessel as soon as it left the British colony of Gibraltar.The guard had been ordered by a Spanish judge to seize the vessel as soon as it left the British colony of Gibraltar.
Gibraltar officials and Odyssey Marine Exploration, which owns the ship, said Spain had boarded the ship illegally as it was in international waters.Gibraltar officials and Odyssey Marine Exploration, which owns the ship, said Spain had boarded the ship illegally as it was in international waters.
In May, Odyssey said it had found $500m (£253m) in coins from a 17th Century wreck somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.In May, Odyssey said it had found $500m (£253m) in coins from a 17th Century wreck somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.
Madrid suspects the sunken galleon may either have been Spanish or have gone down in Spanish waters.Madrid suspects the sunken galleon may either have been Spanish or have gone down in Spanish waters.
The salvaged booty, which included half a million silver coins and hundreds of gold objects, has already been flown back to the US.The salvaged booty, which included half a million silver coins and hundreds of gold objects, has already been flown back to the US.
'Threat of force''Threat of force'
After leaving Gibraltar, the Ocean Alert was picked up at about 0700 GMT on Thursday off Europa Point and sent to the Spanish port of Algeciras to be searched, the Civil Guard said.After leaving Gibraltar, the Ocean Alert was picked up at about 0700 GMT on Thursday off Europa Point and sent to the Spanish port of Algeciras to be searched, the Civil Guard said.
At this point, Odyssey is assuming that the action on the part of the Guardia Civil is a miscommunication between Spanish authorities Odyssey Marine Exploration RULES OF THE WAVES Seas and oceans governed by UN Laws of the SeaOwnership of sunken property in international waters governed by the law of salvage and the law of findsLaw of salvage: If property is owned, those finding it are entitled to compensation for their salvage effortsLaw of finds: Salvor is entitled to all reclaimed property if it is proved to be abandonedSpain insists it retains rights to all its sunken treasureOdyssey intends its haul to be dealt with under US federal law, where previous judgements have sometimes granted exclusive rights to salvors
The guard was investigating a possible "offence against Spanish historic heritage", it said in a statement.The guard was investigating a possible "offence against Spanish historic heritage", it said in a statement.
Odyssey said the boarding was illegal and said the Civil Guard threatened to use force if Ocean Alert's captain did not follow orders. It said Spain had earlier promised the ship would be searched at sea.Odyssey said the boarding was illegal and said the Civil Guard threatened to use force if Ocean Alert's captain did not follow orders. It said Spain had earlier promised the ship would be searched at sea.
"At this point, Odyssey is assuming that the action on the part of the Guardia Civil is a miscommunication between Spanish authorities," the Florida-based company said in a statement."At this point, Odyssey is assuming that the action on the part of the Guardia Civil is a miscommunication between Spanish authorities," the Florida-based company said in a statement.
A spokesman for the governor of Gibraltar said the ship was in international waters at the time it was seized.A spokesman for the governor of Gibraltar said the ship was in international waters at the time it was seized.
Spain's Civil Guard is searching the Panama-registered shipA lawyer for Odyssey, Allen von Spiegelfeld, told Reuters news agency that Spain had not sought permission to board Ocean Alert from officials in Panama, where it is registered. A lawyer for Odyssey, Allen von Spiegelfeld, told Reuters news agency that Spain had not sought permission to board Ocean Alert from officials in Panama, where it is registered.
"The owners of the vessel have contacted the Panamanian maritime authorities protesting the seizure on international waters," Mr von Spiegelfeld said."The owners of the vessel have contacted the Panamanian maritime authorities protesting the seizure on international waters," Mr von Spiegelfeld said.
Spain has launched legal action over the treasure and the wreck. Spain's Civil Guard is searching the Panama-registered shipSpain has launched legal action over the treasure and the wreck.
Some experts believe the wreck to be the Merchant Royal, an English ship carrying stolen Spanish treasure which sank in 1641.Some experts believe the wreck to be the Merchant Royal, an English ship carrying stolen Spanish treasure which sank in 1641.
US coin expert Dr Lane Brunner has said there is evidence the shipwreck was found off England's Cornish coast.US coin expert Dr Lane Brunner has said there is evidence the shipwreck was found off England's Cornish coast.
Odyssey has kept the location of its find secret, citing security and legal reasons.Odyssey has kept the location of its find secret, citing security and legal reasons.