VOC
Sr. Member
Patrick "Pat" Joseph Clyne, world famous explorer and treasure hunter and friend to many, born in New York, March 4, 1947, died peacefully after a short illness in Key West, Florida, on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.
As chief videographer for Mel Fisher's expeditions, Pat Clyne was involved with the Atocha and Margarita recovery projects for over 45 years.�Growing up on Long Island, Pat was inspired by Jacques Cousteau’s book, The Silent World. He began diving at age 13 and followed Mike Nelson’s adventures on Sea Hunt with a passion. He purchased his 1st “Aqualung” while working as a lifeguard at Atlantic Beach when he was 16.
Clyne began studying photography in 1966 and his diving career was put on hold for 4 years while he did a stint in the US Air Force doing aerial photo mapping and reconnaissance missions in the Foreign Technology Division of the U.S. Air Force. After his hitch with the military, Pat used the G.I. bill to enroll in the Diver Training Academy in Ft. Pierce, FL, before teaming up with world famous Treasure Hunter Mel Fisher while on a shark hunting expedition to Key West.
Pat hired on as a diver and eventually became Captain of one of Fisher's largest salvage vessels. During the search for the lower hull section of the Atocha, he played a major role in recording archeological data, mapping the artifact scatter pattern. As a licensed pilot, Clyne also compiled aerial photo mosaics in the search for the main section of the Atocha, which was scattered over many miles.�� In 1980, Pat opened the Treasure Salvors Photo Lab and developed a portable underwater photo grid track for assembling an archaeological photo mosaic of the Margarita hull structure which was featured in National Geographic magazine.
Clyne's photographs of the search and recovery of the 1622 Spanish Galleons have appeared in many major magazines in the U.S. and abroad.�� In 1982, Clyne opened Paradigm Video Productions and was involved in the production of many documentaries including two National Geographic specials, an A & E documentary, The Learning Channel, History Channel, Science Channel, and a number of treasure specials aired nationally on network TV (ABC, CBS and NBC), among others.��Pat was also involved with the production of a series of BBC documentaries on diving and marine salvage. His work abroad has included projects in Germany, Japan, Russia and Italy.�� Pat Clyne is listed in "The Who's Who of Scuba Diving" compiled by the Academy of Marine Sciences & Underwater Research.
After retiring as senior Vice President of all of Mel Fisher's companies as well as Public Relations Director and Media Consultant for Mel Fisher Enterprises, Clyne continued his underwater explorations and filming of numerous underwater shipwrecks for TV documentaries as well as being a Keynote speaker and lecturer engaged by the Washington Speaker's Bureau for corporate gatherings, conferences and banquets. He traveled extensively while telling the history of his various exciting expeditions and Mel Fisher's fabulous 16-year adventure.�
Pat Clyne was the founder and President of the Institute of Marine Archaeological Conservation (IMAC) which engaged in various political conferences and debates involving the interests of the private salvor in researching and recovering our maritime heritage. He represented the U.S. delegation while attending the Paris talks, advocating against ratifying international anti salvage laws. Pat was also a founder and board member of the Historic Shipwreck Salvage Policy Council (HSSPC) who fought for the rights of treasure hunters working shipwrecks in Florida waters. His many debates include discussions which were heard nationally on NPR radio, as well as broadcast internationally on the BBC and many other radio affiliates in the U.S. and abroad.
Pat had the opportunity to go to the Titanic in a submersible vessel, and jumped at the chance. His plan was to affix a memorial plaque to Mel Fisher at the site, but Taffi Fisher-Abt had a better idea. Mel’s daughter had saved some of her father’s ashes and suggested that they be left at the Titanic. Suspended in clear acrylic, alongside a commemorative medallion, Mel Fisher sits on what was once the helm of the unsinkable Titanic, and Pat put him there. “It was really inspiring to be able to make one last dive with my friend,” Pat said. “One last, long dive.”
In 2010, Pat published a fantabulous book filled with wonderful stories and priceless photos titled “Atocha Odyssey” chroniclinhis adventures with the Fisher family.
In July 2013, Pat was awarded the Mel Fisher Lifetime Achievement Award which is awarded annually to a person who has shown immense perseverance in following their Quest in life. “That the Quest is one, which focuses on a lifetime goal, accomplished through self-awareness and personal resolve. That the Quest also achieves to motivate humankind in their search for knowledge, discovery and the ambitions of the human spirit. Such a Quest would exemplify one person’s ability to achieve in life what others might only dare to dream. In spite of the consequences, the setbacks, the obstacles and discouragement by others – they persevere, move ahead, and accomplish their goal to prove once again that the American Dream is alive and well and continues to live on in the noble courage of the proud citizens of this great country.”
Pat is survived by a brother and three sisters: Charles Clyne, Margaret Prescott, Catherine Cretella and Eileen Haun as well as nieces and nephews: Michael Clyne, Marie Clyne, Kevin Clyne, Timothy Clyne, Brian Prescott, Kelly Clyne, Bill Cretella, Christopher Haun, Thomas Haun, and Kate Haun.
As chief videographer for Mel Fisher's expeditions, Pat Clyne was involved with the Atocha and Margarita recovery projects for over 45 years.�Growing up on Long Island, Pat was inspired by Jacques Cousteau’s book, The Silent World. He began diving at age 13 and followed Mike Nelson’s adventures on Sea Hunt with a passion. He purchased his 1st “Aqualung” while working as a lifeguard at Atlantic Beach when he was 16.
Clyne began studying photography in 1966 and his diving career was put on hold for 4 years while he did a stint in the US Air Force doing aerial photo mapping and reconnaissance missions in the Foreign Technology Division of the U.S. Air Force. After his hitch with the military, Pat used the G.I. bill to enroll in the Diver Training Academy in Ft. Pierce, FL, before teaming up with world famous Treasure Hunter Mel Fisher while on a shark hunting expedition to Key West.
Pat hired on as a diver and eventually became Captain of one of Fisher's largest salvage vessels. During the search for the lower hull section of the Atocha, he played a major role in recording archeological data, mapping the artifact scatter pattern. As a licensed pilot, Clyne also compiled aerial photo mosaics in the search for the main section of the Atocha, which was scattered over many miles.�� In 1980, Pat opened the Treasure Salvors Photo Lab and developed a portable underwater photo grid track for assembling an archaeological photo mosaic of the Margarita hull structure which was featured in National Geographic magazine.
Clyne's photographs of the search and recovery of the 1622 Spanish Galleons have appeared in many major magazines in the U.S. and abroad.�� In 1982, Clyne opened Paradigm Video Productions and was involved in the production of many documentaries including two National Geographic specials, an A & E documentary, The Learning Channel, History Channel, Science Channel, and a number of treasure specials aired nationally on network TV (ABC, CBS and NBC), among others.��Pat was also involved with the production of a series of BBC documentaries on diving and marine salvage. His work abroad has included projects in Germany, Japan, Russia and Italy.�� Pat Clyne is listed in "The Who's Who of Scuba Diving" compiled by the Academy of Marine Sciences & Underwater Research.
After retiring as senior Vice President of all of Mel Fisher's companies as well as Public Relations Director and Media Consultant for Mel Fisher Enterprises, Clyne continued his underwater explorations and filming of numerous underwater shipwrecks for TV documentaries as well as being a Keynote speaker and lecturer engaged by the Washington Speaker's Bureau for corporate gatherings, conferences and banquets. He traveled extensively while telling the history of his various exciting expeditions and Mel Fisher's fabulous 16-year adventure.�
Pat Clyne was the founder and President of the Institute of Marine Archaeological Conservation (IMAC) which engaged in various political conferences and debates involving the interests of the private salvor in researching and recovering our maritime heritage. He represented the U.S. delegation while attending the Paris talks, advocating against ratifying international anti salvage laws. Pat was also a founder and board member of the Historic Shipwreck Salvage Policy Council (HSSPC) who fought for the rights of treasure hunters working shipwrecks in Florida waters. His many debates include discussions which were heard nationally on NPR radio, as well as broadcast internationally on the BBC and many other radio affiliates in the U.S. and abroad.
Pat had the opportunity to go to the Titanic in a submersible vessel, and jumped at the chance. His plan was to affix a memorial plaque to Mel Fisher at the site, but Taffi Fisher-Abt had a better idea. Mel’s daughter had saved some of her father’s ashes and suggested that they be left at the Titanic. Suspended in clear acrylic, alongside a commemorative medallion, Mel Fisher sits on what was once the helm of the unsinkable Titanic, and Pat put him there. “It was really inspiring to be able to make one last dive with my friend,” Pat said. “One last, long dive.”
In 2010, Pat published a fantabulous book filled with wonderful stories and priceless photos titled “Atocha Odyssey” chroniclinhis adventures with the Fisher family.
In July 2013, Pat was awarded the Mel Fisher Lifetime Achievement Award which is awarded annually to a person who has shown immense perseverance in following their Quest in life. “That the Quest is one, which focuses on a lifetime goal, accomplished through self-awareness and personal resolve. That the Quest also achieves to motivate humankind in their search for knowledge, discovery and the ambitions of the human spirit. Such a Quest would exemplify one person’s ability to achieve in life what others might only dare to dream. In spite of the consequences, the setbacks, the obstacles and discouragement by others – they persevere, move ahead, and accomplish their goal to prove once again that the American Dream is alive and well and continues to live on in the noble courage of the proud citizens of this great country.”
Pat is survived by a brother and three sisters: Charles Clyne, Margaret Prescott, Catherine Cretella and Eileen Haun as well as nieces and nephews: Michael Clyne, Marie Clyne, Kevin Clyne, Timothy Clyne, Brian Prescott, Kelly Clyne, Bill Cretella, Christopher Haun, Thomas Haun, and Kate Haun.
