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Hi Brian. There have been several laws passed in recent years in the US
about this subject. None of them good for a "treasure hunter" but good for
historians.
Talk to the guys at Delta Oceanographics. They were working in conjunction
with a salvage outfit up near Crescent City, Calif. to find the Jonathan B. (
look it up )
5 Million in gold was recovered and the State of California claimed
ownership. After a long and costly court battle, they finally received some
compensation.
Basically, if you find it, you can't touch anything, including a ship's
bell.
You can video/document the dives etc. but don't take anything.
Naturally you want to keep it a secret, but you'll have to contact the
authorities and work out a deal before anything is touched. You'll end up in
jail if you don't follow the rules.
I have a friend who grew up on his grandfather's farm along the coast. When
times got real tough his granpa would "miraculously" come up with a few gold
coins to hawk and save the farm.
He's pretty sure he knows where the old man went looking for them.
The farm has been out of his family for many years now, but he still
dreams of going back and searching for the gold.
If you find a random coin or two then it's yours to keep as no owner can be
identified.
If you find a wreck......the trouble begins!
Be careful.
Frank D.
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