TAMPA, Fla., July 13, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Odyssey Marine Exploration's (Nasdaq:OMEX) multi-media traveling exhibit, SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure, will entertain and educate visitors at the Witte Museum in San Antonio, TX beginning October 1, 2011. The exhibit, which is fully booked through mid 2012, will conclude its current engagement at the G.WIZ- The Science Museum in Sarasota, FL on August 31.
"We are looking forward to bringing Odyssey's SHIPWRECK! exhibit to exploration enthusiasts in San Antonio. SHIPWRECK! draws a diverse crowd and has something for both youth and adult audiences as the appeal of deep-ocean exploration is universal," said Mark Gordon, Odyssey President and Chief Operating Officer. "The exhibit has a range of interactive elements, authentic shipwreck artifacts, graphics and content that allow visitors to take part in the adventure of shipwreck search and discovery."
Featuring over 500 authentic artifacts, SHIPWRECK! takes visitors on a journey through over 3,000 years of maritime travel. Exploring some of the world's most famous deep-ocean discoveries, the exhibit delves into the rich histories of these shipwrecks, the cutting-edge technology and research used to locate them. Fusing science, history, and technology together SHIPWRECK! is a unique experience enjoyed by audiences of all ages.
"One of the exciting aspects about the exhibit showcasing in different cities across the country is the opportunity to reach the broader public and let them experience the thrill of shipwreck exploration first hand," said John Longley Odyssey Director of Business Development. "The Witte Museum is a terrific venue and we're looking forward to working with their outstanding staff to entertain and educate their members and guests."
"Serving as the first location in the state of Texas to host SHIPWRECK! the Witte Museum is excited to share these long-lost historical artifacts with the people of San Antonio and South Texas," said Marise McDermott, President & CEO of the Witte. "This exhibit is a perfect example of the ties between history and science, which embodies the mission of the Witte," she added.
In the past six years, eight different venues have displayed SHIPWRECK! and nearly one million people have seen the exhibit. SHIPWRECK!is booked through mid-2012 with limited availability starting later in 2012. Odyssey is currently exploring future venues in several locations.
About the Witte Museum
Located on the banks of the beautiful San Antonio River in Brackenridge Park, the Witte Museum is San Antonio's premier museum focusing on South Texas history, science and water resources. Founded in 1926, the Witte is home to an extensive permanent collection featuring historic artifacts and photographs, Texas art, textiles, the world-renowned Hertzberg Circus Collection, dinosaur bones, cave drawings, Texas wildlife dioramas and the four-story H-E-B Science Treehouse; in addition to nationally acclaimed traveling exhibits, such as SHIPWRECK!
About Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (Nasdaq:OMEX) is engaged in deep-ocean exploration using innovative methods and state-of-the-art technology. The Company is a world leader in shipwreck exploration, conducting extensive search and archaeological recovery operations on deep-ocean shipwrecks around the world. Odyssey also has a minority ownership stake in Neptune Minerals, a company focused on discovering and commercializing high-value mineral deposits from the ocean floor, and provides proprietary deep-ocean expertise and equipment to Neptune under contract. Odyssey also provides deep-ocean contracting services to governments and companies around the world.
Odyssey discovered the Civil War-era shipwreck of the SS Republic® in 2003 and recovered over 50,000 coins and 14,000 artifacts from the site nearly 1,700 feet deep. In May 2007, Odyssey announced the historic deep-ocean treasure recovery of over 500,000 silver and gold coins, weighing 17 tons, from a Colonial era site code-named "Black Swan." In February 2009, Odyssey announced the discovery of Balchin's HMS Victory. Odyssey also has other shipwreck projects in various stages of development around the world.
Odyssey offers various ways to share in the excitement of deep-ocean exploration by making shipwreck treasures and artifacts available to collectors, the general public and students through its webstore, exhibits, books, television, merchandise, educational programs and virtual museum located at www.odysseysvirtualmuseum.com. Odyssey's shipwreck operations are the subject of a Discovery Channel television series titled "Treasure Quest," produced by JWM Productions. The 12-episode first season aired worldwide in 2009.
Following previous successful engagements in New Orleans, Tampa, Detroit, Oklahoma City, Charlotte and Baltimore, Odyssey's SHIPWRECK! exhibit is currently on display at G.WIZ - The Science Museum in Sarasota, Florida until August 31, 2011. The exhibit will then open at the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas on October 1, 2011.
For details on Odyssey's activities and its commitment to the preservation of maritime heritage please visit www.shipwreck.net.
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