Some of the first stories I was entranced with when I moved to Key West were the tales of Mel Fisher and his search for the Atocha treasure. I would often daydream what it would be like to explore the bottom of the ocean searching for gold, silver, jewels and other historic artifacts.
And now, for a certain price, anyone can find out.
Mel Fisher's Treasures this week began offering a vacation package called the Atocha Dive Adventure, which includes training, diving alongside professional treasure hunters at the Atocha site, lodging, a wine lovers' sunset sail, and gatherings with the family of famous treasure hunter Mel Fisher, who discovered the wreck of the Atocha in 1985. The cost for the week is $2,500 per person and $500 for non-diving companions. Also included is a Key West attractions passport.
It's enough to make me wish I was certified to dive. If only I could overcome my fear of sharks.
This is the first time an opportunity like this has been made available to the public, said Sean Fisher, vice president of Mel Fisher's Treasures.
"Up until this part, the only way to ever dive the Atocha site was by being an investor," Fisher said. "We were getting a lot of people asking and a lot of people wanted the opportunity to get out there and be a part of history, but they didn't have the 10 grand to put out there as an investor."
The package also includes a behind-the-scenes look of the museum and conservation lab, as well as chart and maps related to the continued search for the Atocha's treasures.
"These people do get a chance to find treasure. And they do get to keep something similar to what they find. They can't keep the actual piece," said Fisher, explaining that new finds have to be documented, cleaned and approved by the federal government.
More than 40 tons of silver and gold have been located, including more than 100,000 Spanish silver coins known as "pieces of eight," gold coins, emeralds, silver and gold artifacts, and more than 1,000 silver bars.
The weeklong package will run throughout the summer. For more information, call 305-294-5441.
Anne-Margaret Swary is The Citizen's business editor. Her column runs exclusively each Sunday. She can be reached at amswary@keysnews.com.
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