SHIPWRECK! Pirates &Treasure to Drop Anchor at New York City's Discovery Times Square

NEW YORK, April 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- This May, Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. and Discovery Times Square invite you to travel beneath the surface and explore SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure, an interactive, multi-media exhibit containing more than 500 artifacts from deep-ocean expeditions around the world. This not to be missed exhibit brings the world's most amazing deep-sea discoveries to the crossroads of the world at New York City's Discovery Times Square beginning May 24.

With the help of Odyssey's unparalleled deep-sea archaeological and technological capabilities, SHIPWRECK! offers visitors a unique look into the depths of the ocean through a mix of actual historical artifacts and hands-on, interactive computer games and exhibits.  Ideal for visitors of all ages, the exhibit helps to bring history to life by uncovering priceless knowledge from the depths of the sea.  Artifacts found at the exhibit, such as rare bottles, porcelain figurines, and a 300-year-old carpenter's folding ruler, will transport visitors back in time as they get an up close and personal look at over 2,000 years of nautical history. Treasure seekers will find a stunning collection of gold and silver recovered from the deep, including the first ever display of silver recovered from the SS Gairsoppa over three miles deep.

"We're really excited about bringing SHIPWRECK! to Discovery Times Square in New York City. During the past 20 years, our team has discovered hundreds of shipwrecks in the deep ocean ranging from 2,000 year old Roman wrecks to WWII U-boats, and last year set a world record by recovering over 40 tons of silver from a shipwreck nearly three miles deep. One of our company's goals is to share our amazing work in the deep ocean with the general public and Discovery Times Square is a premier venue.  SHIPWRECK! allows visitors to get up close and personal with the artifacts we've discovered and to learn about the team, tools and technology necessary to explore the deep ocean," said Greg Stemm, Odyssey Chief Executive Officer.

One of the exhibit's most coveted highlights is the wreck of the SS Republic, a Civil War-era side-wheel steamship which sank to the bottom of the ocean in 1865 due to a ferocious storm.  The Republic, yielding over 51,000 silver and gold coins and 14,000 artifacts, was discovered by Odyssey 1,700 feet below the surface of the Atlantic in 2003 and now provides visitors with a detailed look at life in America in the late 19^th century. 

"The crew of Odyssey are true pioneers in the world of deep-sea exploration and their quest for uncovering the past aligns well with the stories we have brought to life here at Discover Times Square," said James Sanna, President and Executive Producer of Discovery Times Square. "We are thrilled to host such an exciting exhibition featuring Odyssey's incredible deep sea discoveries."

SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure also offers guests the chance to put their skills to the test by piloting a virtual submersible over the Republic wreck site and scouring for artifacts with an operable model of Odyssey's remotely Operated Vehicle ZEUS' robotic arm.  The exhibit's Hurricane Simulator also pushes guests' strength to the limit as the face up against 75-mph winds.

SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure will be on display at Discovery Times Square, located at 226 W 44th St New York, NY 10036.  For more information, please visit http://www.discoverytsx.com/exhibitions/shipwreck

About Odyssey
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (NasdaqCM: OMEX) is engaged in deep-ocean exploration using innovative methods and state-of-the-art technology for historic shipwreck projects, modern commodity shipwrecks and mineral exploration. The company has a majority ownership stake in Oceanica Resources, and minority ownership stakes in Neptune Minerals and Chatham Rock Phosphate, Ltd, all companies controlling exclusive mineral licenses for areas believed to contain high-value ocean floor mineral deposits. Odyssey also provides contracting services, including proprietary deep-ocean expertise and equipment, to governments and companies around the world.

Odyssey offers various ways to share in the excitement of deep-ocean exploration by making shipwreck treasures and artifacts available to the general public, students, and collectors through its webstore, exhibits, books, television, merchandise, educational programs and virtual museum located at www.OdysseysVirtualMuseum.com. The company also maintains a Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/OdysseyMarine and a Twitter feed @OdysseyMarine.

For details on Odyssey's activities and its commitment to the preservation of maritime heritage please visit www.shipwreck.net.

About SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure
SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure is an interactive, multi-media, visually engaging exhibit featuring some of the most extraordinary shipwrecks in the world. The exhibit showcases over 500 authentic artifacts from several of Odyssey's notable shipwreck recoveries. Visitors of all ages are swept back in time as they delve into the fascinating history of ships that have been lost at sea throughout the ages. They will experience the thrill and excitement of shipwreck discovery while they learn what it takes to explore the last frontier - deep below the ocean surface.  Pirate lore, legend and facts will also capture the visitor's attention with interactive pirate-themed experiences. Here they will encounter some of the notorious pirates that terrorized the seas including Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Barbary Corsairs, Privateers and Buccaneers.

Discovery Times Square (DTS) is New York City's first large-scale exhibition center presenting visitors with limited-run, educational and immersive exhibit experiences while exploring the world's defining cultures, art, history and events. More than a museum, DTS has featured a renowned line-up of exhibitions including Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Leonardo Da Vinci's Workshop, King Tut, Pompeii: The Exhibit, Harry Potter: The Exhibition, Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition, and most recently Terracotta Warriors: Defenders of China's First Emperor.  DTS is located at 226 West 44th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenues). http://www.discoverytsx.com/exhibitions/shipwreck

SOURCE Discovery Times Square