Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. has received notification from the U.S. District Judge that he has adopted the Magistrate’s Report and Recommendation in the “Black Swan” case in favor of Spain.

Although the Judge complimented Magistrate Pizzo’s Report and Recommendation, he also made it clear that he felt a separate opinion by him would “add only length and neither depth nor clarity (and certainly not finality) to this dispute.” The Judge also stayed the order vacating the arrest warrant and the return of the recovered coins to Spain until the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit rules in the case, which serves to keep the coins in Odyssey’s possession pending the outcome of the case.

“Judge Merryday’s ruling serves to move this case to the appellate court faster, where we feel confident that the legal issues are clearly in our favor. The ruling yesterday does not affect the current operations of Odyssey, and we have not been counting on any revenue from the “Black Swan” in any of our budgets since it was clear that this case would go to appeal no matter which way the judge ruled,” said Greg Stemm, Odyssey CEO.

“We are moving ahead with our other current projects – and it is important for people to understand that the vast majority of our shipwreck projects don’t have the same potential legal issues that have surfaced in the “Black Swan” case. Our focus for 2010 is on projects that are either under specific permits with governments or commercial vessels.”

“We take heart from cases like the shipwreck of the Atocha, which seemed lost at the district court level but was won during the appeals process, granting the salvor the majority of the coins and artifacts from that shipwreck. The Central America shipwreck case was also reversed on appeal and the salvor’s position in the case of the RMS Titanic was substantially vindicated by the Fourth Circuit court of appeals in 2006, so the three most famous shipwreck cases to date were reversed on appeal. I believe that this shows that it is not unusual for district courts to miss key legal principles in shipwreck cases because of their complex admiralty issues. “

“We do not believe the Magistrate applied the correct legal analysis to the discussion of commercial activity, so we look forward to presenting our case that even if the coins recovered were once part of the cargo of the Mercedes, that ship was not entitled to the sovereign immunity enjoyed by warships on strictly military service under U.S. law and policy as well as under applicable international law” said Melinda MacConnel, Odyssey Vice President and General Counsel.

“The Mercedes was serving a well-documented commercial – not military – purpose when she sank. More than 70% of the coin cargo aboard never belonged to Spain.”

“Private individuals and merchants paid a freight charge to have their private property transported. Some of the descendants of these people have entered into this case to voice their claims. The Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act only applies to sovereign governments and their property and has been misapplied by this court.”

“We will file our notice of appeal with the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida and Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals within the required time and look forward to presenting our case in that forum.”

For more information about Odyssey’s legal arguments in the case, please review Odyssey’s legal filings available here: http://www.shipwreck.net/blackswanlegal.php

Related posts:

1. Odyssey Marine Exploration Files Appellate Brief in “Black Swan” Case
2. Odyssey Will Object to Magistrate’s Recommendation to Dismiss “Black Swan” Case
3. Peru Filing Claim In “Black Swan” Case
4. Spain in U.S. Court Today over Black Swan Treasure
5. Odyssey Marine Exploration Challenges Claims by Spain in Its “Black Swan” Appellate Reply
6. Amicus Briefs Support Odyssey Marine’s Legal Position in Black Swan Treasure Coins Appeal
7. Wikileaks Reveals State Dept Deal with Spain In Black Swan Treasure Lawsuit
8. Spain claims all treasure from The Black Swan
9. Ruling Allows Odyssey Shipwreck Cases to Move Forward
10. Appellate Court Grants Rehearing in Collectors Universe – William Miller Case