SAFETY HARBOR - The Safety Harbor Museum, 329 Bayshore Blvd. S. is about to embark upon a historic adventure in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Led by James Dwyer, curator of archeology at the museum, an underwater archeological survey will be conducted to locate Spanish shipwrecks from around the time of Christopher Columbus.
This project is licensed by the British government and the Turks and Caicos, a British commonwealth. Dwyer recently obtained the licensing from the Turks and Caicos government. Undisclosed private funding for the exploration will support his efforts.
The research vessel Osprey, a 100-foot research ship and old navy transport vessel, along with three Zodiacs will spearhead the mission at a maximum of 50 feet under water in the Turks and Caicos. Depending on the initial find of historically significant evidence, the excavation will begin.
Evidence to begin this mission was initially uncovered five years ago with the discovery of an anchor and other artifacts from the 1500s. Once the artifacts are recovered, they will be preserved and displayed at the Safety Harbor Museum. Conservationist Rhonda Wozniak, who led the Titanic conservation team, will spearhead this project.
