Current Projects-History

FLORIDA PROJECTS: During routine survey activities in 1998, Sub Sea pinpointed several interesting anomalies in deeper waters in close proximity to the outside boundaries of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The Florida Keys is well known for its bounty of Galleons and Merchant ships lost during the Age of Discovery and the West Indies Trade period. Extensive research of several archives produced several intriguing ships reported to have been lost in the area– a few were especially valuable and would ultimately prove to be incredible and unique historic finds. Since filing admiralty claims on those sites outside the FKNMS and seeking permits for the areas within the Sanctuary, Sub Sea 's continued efforts to identify and recover these targets have garnered international attention and have also generated a fair amount of controversy. Sub Sea continues to pursue these sites' identities and has received the approval from the FKNMS to proceed with further survey and ground truth analysis of the areas inside the FKNMS. Sub Sea Research intends to file one of the first salvage recovery requests ever initiated within the FKNMS since it's designation in 1997.  There is compelling evidence suggesting that one of the target areas may be a heavily laden French Merchant ship known as the “Notre Dame De La Deliverance” which sank in 1756 allegedly in or near south Florida 's coast.

Until physical inspection and diving of the site is permitted by NOAA , the wreck's identity will remain a mystery. However, the admiralty areas outside the FKNMS will be inspected very soon.

HAITI PROJECTS: Greg Brooks of Sub Sea Research has been diligently pursuing research and salvage agreements in Haiti for over a decade.  In 2002-3 after years of negotiations and many physical journeys to the coastlines and Capital of Haiti, Sub Sea received three significant permit areas for the survey and salvage of any shipwrecks in joint partnership with the Government of Haiti.

Despite Haiti 's recent political turmoil, Sub Sea has remained in good stead and on station during the survey and inspection of several near shore sites located and identified last year. The research hasn't been completed and yet already indicates numerous potentially valuable historic shipwrecks spanning over 400 years of Spanish Main Ships Crossings, West Indies Trade Routes, and the well documented historic presence of Pirate ships since Haiti was a stronghold for Privateers and Buccaneers for centuries. Our latest expedition last winter [2004] confirmed and physically inspected and documented a shallow water metal hulled vessel previously thought to be a WWII submarine hull. Our survey and inspection indicated it is actually a Spanish American Civil War Gun Boat which further analysis might reveal its actual name and identity.

Meanwhile, our next expedition includes further survey and site inspections of a large debris field which contains over 55 cannons in place.  If this proves to be one shipwreck- the number of guns present indicates this to be at least a First or Second Rate Class Ship.

Among the archival reports of notable ships lost in Haitian waters –we have already pinpointed what we believe to be the resting place of Capt Henry Morgan's ship “the Oxford ”, which was a gift from the Queen of England and was destroyed along with dozens of other pirate ships during an accidentally explosive conflagration.  Research and physical site inspections will resume this spring when sea conditions improve and schedules permit. For more information click here.

PROJECT MUSEARIUM: Sub Sea Research has long range plans to build a uniquely designed Public Museum and Shipwreck Institute with a very creative approach to the presentation and display of artifacts and marine habitat as it exists in it's natural undisturbed state.  It will house a comprehensive public aquarium conservatory and a variety of maritime artifact displays, collections and a Gallery of Marine Fine Art. The “ Musearium ” will provide a very unique and diverse environment for the general public, students and scholars who otherwise might never have the opportunity to observe a shipwreck site in its undisturbed natural state. This will provide a world class exhibit easily accessible by Maine citizens, international cruise ship visitors, and tourists from around the world who will be attracted to Maine's first world class Maritime Museum and Institute located on Maine's historic coast.