Marine Exploration, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: MEXP) and joint venture partner Hispaniola Ventures, LLC announce the Dominican Republic has confirmed the Company’s recent discovery of a valuable shipwreck from the 1690s. The treasure includes silver coins, gold, pearls and diamond jewelry.

“A great discovery,” notes Francis Soto, Technical Director of the Dominican Republic Underwater Heritage Office in a December 29 news story in Underwater Times. http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=84613259071

“The most important find in Dominican waters since the discovery of Captain Kidd’s ship Quedagh Merchant in 2007,” states Wilfredo Feliz, Director of the Dominican Republic Ministry of Culture Sub-aquatic Patrimony Office in a December 30 news story in Listin Diario. http://www.listin.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=126490

“Treasure pieces were of incalculable historical value,” according to a news story in Underwater Times. http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=84613259071

The objects found include silver coins, jewels, gold jewelry with pearls, solid gold ring with diamonds, two hand-held bronze cannons, numerous pistols and cannons, a bell from 1693 with the phrase ‘Soli Deo Gloria’, guild pewter plates, navigation compasses, plumb lines for measuring depth, a pistol, sword sheaths, ornaments, plates, silverware, sword handles, a device to measure the ship’s speed, and bronze candlesticks.

Burt D. Webber Jr., famed diver that in 1978 discovered the Concepcion in Dominican Republic waters, is currently the onsite Director of Operations aboard the RV Hispaniola treasure salvage vessel. Mr. Webber comments, “This is such an exciting find especially to be able to salvage significant treasures of silver, gold, and valuable artifacts while the Dominican Republic government observers are onboard. My team has recovered only 10% of what’s down there. We have contracted an area from the Dominicans that is literally a treasure trove of sunken vessels from the 1600-1700s. We expect to explore at least 5 more wrecks in 2010.”