PIRATE SHIP EXPLORATION GREEN LAMPED
Copyright 2005 www.tombraiderchronicles.com

[ April 18th 2005 ]

Underwater archaeologists have welcomed a ruling from Atlanta officials green lamping the deep sea exploration of an old clipper thought to have belonged to legendary pirate Blackbeard, Associated Press notes. The state program, called Dive Down, would allow 320 divers a year to visit the wreckage off Atlantic Beach on trips arranged through dive shops.

Officials from the state underwater archaeology branch will supervise a series of dives in a bid to encourage tourism and knowledge about the historical value of the ship. The wreckage is thought to be that of Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge, sunk in 1718, says Associated Press.

State officials and the coastguard will keep tabs on the project in accordance with a surveillance program put in place by Atlanta officials to deter relic hunters plundering the site.