Wreck of renowned British warship found in Channel

Federal court records filed by Odyssey in Tampa seeking the exclusive >salvage rights said the site is 40 to 64 kilometers from the English >coast, outside of its territorial waters.

I don't see how a US Federal Court has any jurisdiction over the wreck of a British ship in the English Channel. But of course the strategy here is to establish a forum from the start since it's clearly obvious that the British Govt is going to be bringing a suit, that would precede any British action.

So, wreck in international waters. Salvage belongs to whoever finds it.

wreck in international waters

Since when did the English Channel become 'international waters'?

Cleo, outside the 20 or 25 mile limit are international waters.

Cleo, hang on,...the English Channel is only 22 miles wide..... :-)

TBH, I'm not sure what the limit is for British waters.

The English Channel represents British waters, thus the old saying, "The Wxps start at Calais." Isn't that right Cleo?

Well it's the English Channel, isnt it? Stands to reason, doesn't it?

Unless your French?

Either way it's going to be on the Discovery Channel pretty soon.

the site is 40 to 64 kilometers from the English coast, outside of its territorial waters.

I'm guessing it's going to be right at 25 miles...heh. Either way, you'd think these guys would have some kind of agreement with nearby governments as to how salvage will be handled. It seems they find these older ships first then figure out who gets to keep it after. If the Brits aren't interested in finding it themselves maybe they'll sign a document saying half of anything found goes to the company regardless of what it is. There's no downside for them.

Well during a short time it was the dutch Channel. Great Brittain could use those gold coins now, economy crisis and all

dennis, I agree. I bet Gordon Brown would love to get his hands on that gold bullion to bankroll his latest stimulus package. :-)

Isn't the fact that it is a British Navy vessel that no matter where it is found it still belongs to the Government?

Isn't the fact that it is a British Navy vessel that no matter where it is found it still belongs to the Government?

Sure, but $500 million is $500 million....heh.

Yeah - my bank account could use a kick-start with a similar deposit right about now :D

in the english channel.. the 25 miles doesn't apply. there's a international corridord betwenn France and England where ship navigate along. It is like a tunnel, you go up the channel on the right side, and down the channel toward spain on the left side (near english coast).

Also the article state

the site is 40 to 64 kilometers from the English coast, outside of its territorial waters.

So they drive on the wrong side of the road but ship on the right?

Must confuse some blokes I reckon. =No wonder this ship went down.