International Treasure Salvage & the Protection of Underwater Cultural

Home , Marine salvage, Shipwreck

International Treasure Salvage & The Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage Summer 2018, El Escorial, Spain Professor Taylor Simpson-Wood Mondays - Thursdays 11:00 a.m. - 12:50 p.m. I. Course Description:

Far beneath the ocean waves, nestling silently on cold dark sea beds around the world, lie the remains of about three million shipwrecks. Among such wrecks are the coveted treasure vessels. In addition to valuable cargos of gold, silver, or jewels, these shipwrecks can also be a significant source of history derived from archaeological examination. This course will examine the relevant maritime law in the area of international treasure salvage, in particular the general maritime law of salvage and that of finds, the Abandoned Shipwreck Act, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, and key international convention in this area, in particular the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III) and the 2001 UNESCO Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage. The main themes of the course will be: advancements in technology which make deep sea salvage possible; the question of ownership rights in sunken vessels and cargoes; the application of salvage law or the law of finds; the question of jurisdictional competence to regulate activities beyond territorial sea limits; the salvage of sunken war ships, and the tension which exists between the apparent goals of the treasure salvor and the marine archeologist regarding historic wrecks. To see these issues in action, the discovery and ensuing litigation surrounding various vessels will be examined, including The Nuestra Senora Concepcion, The Atocha , The RMS Titanic, Japanese Submarine I-52, La Galga & The Juno, The SS Central America, The Whydah, and The Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes (the "Black Swan").

II. Course Goals and Learning Objectives:

At the end of the course, the student will have a great understanding of maritime law in the area of treasure salvage and of the growing international tension between those who view salvors as plunderers and destroyers of underwater cultural heritage and those who argue that treasure salvage should be encouraged; if international treaties and legislation discourage or ban those who are willing to take the economic and physical risks in searching for and recovering abandoned ship wrecks and sunken treasure, the artifacts will never be found and the cultural heritage completely lost to the ages. Specifically the Student will:

• Have thoroughly studied the basic principles of the law of finds and that of salvage. • Studied the history of salvage law as part of the Jus Gentium.

• Understand the various factors which go into a court's determination of a salvage award, including recognition of preservation of artifacts and environmental responsibility and the ramifications for salvor misconduct. • Be familiar with the relevant provisions of the Abandoned shipwreck Act. • Be familiar with the key provisions of international conventions relevant to international treasure salvage and underwater cultural heritage, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, and the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. • Understand the concepts of "quasi in rem jurisdiction, "constructive in rem jurisdiction," jurisdiction based on telepossession, and the doctrine of globally bonding constrictive notice which permit Federal U.S. Courts to assert jurisdiction over wrecks found in international waters. • Will have examined the ethical and policy considerations existing from the current tensions between the law of salvage and maritime archeology in relation to historic wrecks. • Will have improved their oral presentation and communication skills by giving a class presentation on a topic selected by the professor.

III. Course Procedures and Attendance:

You are required to prepare fully for each class. I will plan and conduct each class with the expectation that all students have read the assigned material and are ready to engage in a lively discussion about the subjects addressed. I will call on students to answer some questions and ask for volunteers for others. Of course, regular class attendance is essential to a coherent understanding of the course.

IV. Grading:

Your final grade will be based on three considerations. First, 10% of your final grade will be based on your classroom preparation & participation; second, 20% of your final grade will be based on a 20-25 minute individual or group classroom presentation on an assigned topic selected by the professor. You will be provided all necessary research materials needed to write the summary and to give a thorough and engaging presentation. Finally, 70% of your final grade will be based on a take home final exam consisting of both multiple choice and short answer essay questions.

VI. Student Feedback:

At the end of the course, you will be given an opportunity to complete course evaluation. Your comments will help me to design and teach the course more effectively. They will not affect your grade for the course.

VIII. Textbook: Taylor Simpson-Wood, Materials for International Treasure Salvage & Underwater Cultural Heritage (2018)

IX. Class Assignments:

Reading Assignments will consist of newspaper and magazine articles, a number of shorter academic articles, a few longer Law Review pieces on specific topics or about particular vessels which have been edited, the relevant provisions from the two major international conventions, and court decisions. In addition, videos and films will be used in class to supplement the assigned materials.

Week One: May 28 - June 31:

Major Concepts: Introduction to the Law of Salvage, Two Key International Conventions, the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage & U.S. Admiralty Jurisdiction in Contiguous and International Waters.

Assignment ►Class 1: The Law of Salvage vs. the Law of Finds & Criteria for Salvage Awards

Please bring the syllabus to class Readings►

• Brendan I. Koerner, The Race for Riches, U.S. News & World Report, October 4, 1999, at 44. • Marilyn Raia, Finders, but Not Keepers (Pacific Maritime Magazine, November 1, 2014), http://www.pacmar.com/story/2014/11/01/maritime-law/finders-but-not- keepers/295.html. • Joshua C. Teitelbaum, Inside the Blackwell Box: Explaining U.S. Marine Salvage Awards, 22 Sup. Ct. Econ. Rev. 55 (2014), available at https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/682015.

The Vessel► The Nuestra Senora Concepcion

• Red Smith, The Lost Treasure of The Concepcion, N.Y. Times Archives November 9, 1979https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/09/archives/the-lost-treasure-of-the- concepcion-sports-of-the-times.html

Videos/Film to be shown in class► TREASURE! THE WRECK OF THE CONCEPTION (A&E 1998) - 50 minutes

Assignment ►Class 2: UNCLOS & Maritime Zones; International Convention on Salvage, 1989; UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage

Readings►

• UNCLOS Maritime and Airspace Zones (1 page illustration). • Marina Papa Sokal, International Law for the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage: Can Our Past Be Salvaged, 16 Culture Without Context 20 (Spring 2005), available at https://www.obs- traffic.museum/sites/default/files/ressources/files/Culture_without_context_16.pdf. • Jonathan Joseph Beren Segarra, Above Us the Waves: Defending the Expansive Jurisdictional Reach of American Admiralty courts in Determining the Recovery Rights to Ancient or Historic Wrecks, 43 J. Mar. L. & .Com 349 - 357 (2012). • Ben Juvelier, "Salvaging" History: Underwater Cultural Heritage and Commercial Salvage, 32 Am. U. Int'l L. Rev. 1023 (2017). • Selected Provisions from United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, available at http://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf • Selected Provisions from International convention on Salvage, 1989 (Article 30(d)), available at http://www.admiraltylawguide.com/conven/salvage1989.html. • Selected Articles and Rules from The Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (UNESCO Paris, 2 November 2001), available at http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php- URL_ID=13520&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html.

Videos/Film to be shown in class►

• U.N. Convention on Law of the Sea: Origins and Importance (18:06), available at, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SOqz1Yu8tY • UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Heritage (11:56), available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoNV8tRVRqo • Introduction to Maritime Zones (Part I of 3) ( 11:47), available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLkvnLjYmg8&t=22s (djaguilfoyle Aug 22, 2013). • Introduction to Maritime Zones (Part 2 of 3) (17:47), available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlYSyBRsK0c&t=27s . • Introduction to Maritime Zones (Part 3 of 3) (20:22), available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOB-HsPqf5k -.

Assignment ►Class 3: The Assertion of U.S. Maritime Jurisdiction in Contiguous Waters (Quasi In Rem to obtain personal jurisdiction) in The Atocha

*The Final Exam & Materials for class presentations will be distributed

Readings►

• Jonathan Joseph Beren Segarra, Above Us the Waves: Defending the Expansive Jurisdictional Reach of American Admiralty courts in Determining the Recovery Rights to Ancient or Historic Wrecks, 43 J. Mar. L. & .Com 349, 357-361 (2012).

The Vessel ►The Atocha

• Wes Smith, Finally, Treasure Hunters' Golden Rainbow Is For Real, Chicago Tribune July 28, 1985, http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-07- 28/news/8502190416_1_atocha-sunken-treasure-mel-fisher. • Jay Amberg, They Were A Ragtag Band of Treasure Hunters Who Spent 16 Years, Chicago Tribune July 20, 1990, http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1990-07- 20/features/9003010506_1_treasure-salvors-atocha-silver-and-gold-artifacts. • Christopher Boyd, Lure of Booty, Ecology In Conflict, Chicago Tribune June 17, 1992, http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-06-17/news/9202230560_1_fisher-s- attorney-treasure-ship-cannons. • Treasure Salvors, Inc, v. Gasque et al., 546 F. Supp 919 (1981), 1983 A.M.C. 2020.

Videos/Film to be shown in class► THE SEARCH FOR THE ATOCHA (The History Channel 1998 - 50 minutes)

Assignment ►Class 4: The Assertion of U.S. Maritime Jurisdiction in International Waters (constructive in rem) and The Titanic Litigation

Readings►

• Tom Belknap, Treasure Salvage Cases: Should U.S. Courts Exercise Jurisdiction Where the Wreck is Located in International Waters, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News September 2011, available at https://magazines.marinelink.com/magazines/MaritimeReporter/201109/pdf/get

The Vessel ►The Titanic

• David G. Concannon, The Battle for the R.M.S. Titanic, 62 The Philadelphia Lawyer Cover Story (1999), available at http://www.philadelphiabar.org/page/TPLSummer99CoverStory?appNum=1

Videos/Film to be shown in class► TITANIC: BIRTH OF A LEGEND - 75 minutes

Week Two: June 4 - June 7

Constructive in rem Maritime Jurisdiction in International Waters (continued); The Doctrine of Globally- binding Constructive Notice; Salvage as part of the JUS GENTIUM ; Telepossession as a basis for constructive in rem jurisdiction;

Assignment ►Class 5: The Titanic & Constructive in rem Maritime Jurisdiction in International Waters (continued); The Doctrine of Globally- binding Constructive Notice; Salvage as part of the JUS GENTIUM ; The Unique Features of the Maritime Lien & Personification of the Vessel.

Readings►

The Vessel ►The Titanic

• R.M.S. Titanic v. Haver, 171 F.3d 943 (4th Cir. 1999). • Marex, Premier Exhibitions, Inc. Receives Title to Titanic Artifacts, The Maritime Executive August 17, 2011 14:54:58, https://maritime-executive.com/article/premier- exhibitions-inc-receives-title-to-titanic-artifacts#gs.issL0WE.

Videos/Film to be shown in class► GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS - 92 minutes

Assignment ►Class 6: Telepossession as a basis for Maritime Jurisdiction; Technological advancements (The "ROV" & Broadcasting Video), The Sad Tale of Tommy Thompson & The S.S. Central America

Readings►

• Taylor Simpson-Wood, A Crackerjack of a Sea Yarn: The Triumphs, Tributes and Trials of Treasure Hunter Tommy Thompson, 29 U.S.F. Mar. L. J. 197 (2017) (with updates).

• Drew F.T. Horrell, Telepossession is Nine-Tenths of the Law: The Emerging Industry of Deep Ocean Discovery, 3 Pace Y.B. Int'l L 309, 309-316, 338-342 (1991), available at https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/pilr/vol3/iss1/10. • Paul R. Spence, Broadcasting Video Online from 5000 Feet Underwater: A Proposal to Help Ensure an Archeological Duty of Care for Historic Shipwrecks, 49 Cal. W. L. Rev. 135, 158-168 (2012).

The Vessel► The SS Central America

• Columbus-America Discovery Group, Inc. v. Atlantic Mutual Insurance Co., 974 F.2d 450 (4th Cir. 1992).

Videos/Film to be shown in class► HISTORY'S MYSTERIES: SHIP OF GOLD (History Channel 50 minutes)

Assignment ►Class 7: The Battle Over La Nuestra Senora de Las Mercedes (aka The Black Swan), and Issues Surrounding the Apparent Conflict Between Salvors and the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage

Readings►

• John Colapinto, Secrets Of The Deep: the dispute over what might be the biggest sunken treasure ever found, The New Yorker April 7, 2008, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/04/07/secrets-of-the-deep. • D.K. Abbass, A Marine Archeologist Looks At Treasure Salvage, 30 J. Mar. L. & Com. 261 (1998). • Paul R. Spence, Broadcasting Video Online from 5000 Feet Underwater: A Proposal to Help Ensure an Archeological Duty of Care for Historic Shipwrecks, 49 Cal. W. L. Rev. 135, 149 - 157 (2012). • Odyssey Marine Exploration Papers (2010) (Greg Stemm, Protecting the Past: UNESCO Versus the Private Collector, James Sinclair, Threats to Underwater Cultural Heritage-Real & Imagined, and Sean Kingsley, UNESCO, Commerce & Fast-Food Maritime Archeology), available at https://www.blankrome.com/siteFiles/publications//B23280236AA32A25EA156143 BF4D057A.pdf.

The Vessel► La Nuestra Senora de Las Mercedes

Videos/Film to be shown in class► Treasure Quest Season 1: BATTLE FOR THE BLACK SWAN (Discovery Channel 50 minutes).

Assignment ►Class 8: The case of La Nuestra Senora de Las Mercedes, Sovereign Immunity and the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, Attorneys' Fees

Readings►

• Dave Werner, Piracy in the courtroom: How to Salvage $500 Million in Sunken Treasure Without Making a Cent, 67 Univ. Miami L. Rev 1005 (2013). • Relevant Provisions of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, 28 U.S. Code §§1603, 1605, 1609, & 1610, Government Publishing Office, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-90/pdf/STATUTE-90-Pg2891.pdf The Vessel► La Nuestra Senora de Las Mercedes

• Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. v. The Unidentified, Shipwrecked Vessel and The Kingdom of Spain, 675 F. Supp.2d 1126 (M.D. Fla. 2009). • Warren Richey, Who Gets to keep shipwreck treasure? Supreme Court declines Spain case, The Christian Science Monitor May 14, 2012, https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2012/0514/Who-gets-to-keep-shipwreck- treasure-Supreme-Court-declines-Spain-case. • Ivan Penn, Odyssey Marine ordered to pay Spain $1 million in Black Swan case, Tampa Bay Times, September 30, 2013, http://www.tampabay.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?avis=HI&date=20130930&category= ARTICLE&lopenr=309309675&Ref=AR&profile=2399&template=printart • Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. v. The Unidentified, Shipwrecked Vessel, 979 F. Supp. 2d 1270 (M.D. Fla. 2013) (attorneys fees).

Videos/Film to be shown in class► RECLAIMING BURIED TREASURE IN THE "BLACK SWAN" CASE, James A. Goold, Covington and Burling LLP and Dr. James P. Delgado, NOAA , Department of Commerce June 15, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s0cqZ_1Pjc (1:32)

Week Three: June 11 - June 14: The Mechanics of a Salvage Operation, Issues involved in the Salvaging of Treasure Laden Warships, The Abandoned Shipwreck Act, The 1902 Treaty of Friendship and General Relations Between the U.S. & Spain, and Savaging a Pirate Ship

Assignment ►Class 9: Sunken Warships: The Abandoned Shipwreck Act, International Treaties between Nations & Sovereign Immunity Protection of Underwater Cultural Property

Readings►

• Jerry E. Walker, A Contemporary Standard For Determining Title To Sunken Warships: A Tale of Two Vessels and Two Nations, 12 U.S.F. Mar. L. J. 311, 313-347 (pages 2 - 20 of Westlaw print-out), 356 - -358 (pages 26-27 of the Westlaw print- out) (2000). • Relevant Provisions of the Abandoned Shipwreck Act, 43 U.S.C. §§ 2101 et seq., https://www.nps.gov/history/local-law/FHPL_AbndShipwreck.pdf.

The Vessels► La Galga & The Juno

• Sea Hunt, Inc. v. The Unidentified, Shipwrecked Vessel or Vessels, 221 F.3d 634 (2000). • Isambard Wilkinson, Supreme Court Grants Spain's Claim to Treasure On 250 Shipwrecks Off US, The Telegraph February 22, 2001, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/132371 7/Spain-claims-rights-to-treasure-on-250-wrecks-off-US-shores.html.

Videos/Film to be shown in class► SUBMARINE I-52: SEARCH FOR WW2 GOLD (National Geographic - 50 minutes)

Assignment ►Class 10: The Salvage of a Pirate Treasure Ship: The Whydah Galley

Readings►

• Michael Coakley, Treasures Lure Gold diggers To The Deep, Chicago Tribune September 8, 1985, http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-09- 08/news/8502280740_1_cape-cod-shipwrecks-salvaging. • Conor Kennedy, Diving for Treasure on the Pirate Ship Whydah, Cape Cod Times October 17, 2013 at 3:40 PM. http://www.capecodtimes.com/article/20131017/LIFE/131019773 • Barry Clifford, REAL PIRATES: The Untold Story of The Whydah From Slave ship to Pirate Ship, Ye Articles of ye Gentlemen of Fortune, 14 (National Geographic Society 2008).

The Vessel► The Whydah Galley

• Massachusetts v. Maritime Underwater Surveys, Inc., 403 Mass. 501, 531 N.E.2d 549 (1988).

Videos/Film to be shown in class► THE PIRATE CODE: REAL PIRATES (National Geographic 50 minutes) Barry Clifford: Pirate Treasure Found/Nat Geo Live, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZCvZ8ToSj0 (27:47).

Assignment ►Class 11: Class presentations Begin (worth 20 % of your final grade).

See the Grading Guide Below.

Week Four: June 18 - June 21: Class Presentations

Assignment ►Classes 13-16 Class presentations continue (worth 20 % of your final grade).

****************************************************************************** Grading Guide for Class Presentation for International Treasure Salvage & Underwater Cultural Heritage

Class Presentation – 20 % of the final grade (20 points)

Name: ______

(5 points) Presentation: Clear, organized, and engaging coverage (physical presence and vocal energy) of the assigned topic within the 25 minute allotted time fame. ______

(5 points) Visual aids: Use of visual aids (hand-outs, pictures, white board, PowerPoint presentation, etc.) to assist the audience in understanding the topic of the paper. ______

(10 points) Mastery of the subject matter assigned & the ability to field any questions from fellow students

______

Total Points: ______