? For those of you who didnt know...Don had sat on the committees like? HSSPC.What a wonderful life to be able to live and work the occupation you love!
Historic Shipwreck Salvage Policy Council or HSSPC, has remained essentially unchanged. Our members currently consist of Mel Fisher, Don Washington, Jack Haskins (who also sits on the FKNMS Citizens Advisory Counsel) Pat Clyne, PT Rampy, Chuck Mitchell, Jay Usher, Gordon Cotrell, and myself, John Brandon.
A number of the suggestions made by HSSPC were incorporated into this new document that clearly moved us in the right direction. After that document was released we made even more progress. Some of our gains are listed below:
You no longer have to be an archaeologist or anthropologist to obtain a permit.
No permit is required at all to conduct non-intrusive searches, such as magnetometer surveys. If you discover something you can then go through the permitting process. On the other hand if you are fairly certain you know where something is, say through archival research for instance, you can still get a search permit for that area and that will give you first option at obtaining a recovery permit.
Bonds may not be required of those who can show a prior ability to complete projects.
Insurance for treasures and artifacts may be waived if the salvor can demonstrate safe storage of same, such as a safe deposit box.
The salvor will be in charge of the project as principle permitee, with an approved archaeologist as a consultant to ensure the archaeological guidelines are met.
The archaeologist will not have to be on board at all times but may designate an archaeological assistant who will ensure all records and procedures are properly kept and followed.
Artifacts and treasures will be available for deacession (division) to the salvor if it is determined that the artifacts and treasures are of little historical importance and/or if a representative cross section of the recovered artifacts and treasures are retained in the public possession.
Deacessions (divisions) will occur on a yearly basis after the permitee submits his report for the prior field season. A final report will be required at the end of the salvors project.
The State will act as a repository for the governments share of the treasures and artifacts or the salvor may make arrangements with an approved repository of his choice to provide public access to his recoveries. Some salvors may wish for their finds to be displayed in a more local forum rather than in Tallahassee.
The salvor will maintain possession of the treasures and artifacts until the time of deacession (division
