Name Odyssey Explorer Acquired August 7, 2003 | Port of registry Bahamas | |
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Operator Marr Vessel Management Ltd. | ||
Rv odyssey explorer
The R/V Odyssey Explorer is a salvage and recovery vessel owned by Odyssey Marine Exploration.
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Dispute
On October 16, 2007, Spain seized the vessel, Odyssey Explorer owned by Odyssey Marine Exploration as it sailed out of port from the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. The Odyssey Explorer captain, Sterling Vorus, claimed to have been in International Waters, but was forced to dock at Algeciras under what Vorus declared was "threat of deadly force." Once in port, Vorus was eventually arrested for disobedience after refusing inspection of the vessel without first receiving approval of Odyssey Explorer's flag state, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Vorus was released the following day. Aboard the Odyssey Explorer at the time of seizure, were about a dozen journalists and photographers, all of which had their video tapes, tape recorders, and computer memory storage devices seized by Spanish officials.
Falklands Conflict
In 1982, Odyssey Explorer was operating out of Kingston-Upon-Hull under the name Farnella as a stern trawler. Upon the outbreak of the Falklands Conflict, Farnella, along with four sister ships, was taken up from trade by the Royal Navy and commissioned as a stop-gap minesweeper for operations in the South Atlantic. HMS Farnella was returned to her owners in October 1982.