Whiteman A YEAR-AND-A-HALF after signing a deal with a United States-based company, the Jamaican Government has yet to indicate when underwater exploration for shipwreck treasure off the Pedro Banks will begin.
Admiralty Corporation from Atlanta, USA, was granted a three-year licence in August 1999, to carry out exploration work in Jamaican waters. Any treasure found is to be divided equally between the Govern-ment and Admiralty Corpo-ration. All artefacts will be the property of the state.
However, while there was much anticipation following the signing, very little has happened in the 18 months since. And Senator Burchell Whiteman, Education and Culture Minister, is not sure what is happening.
He told The Glea-ner he was informed a month ago by the Jamaica National Heri-tage Trust (JNHT), that the US company had been in touch with them. "When I checked last week I gathered that since the last contact in January they haven't been back in touch with them (JNHT)," Mr. Whiteman said. He said a site visit was to have taken place early in the year but this is yet to materialise.
"I obviously have to get an update from the people themselves as to what is really happening rather than depend on the contact through the Heritage Trust," Mr. Whiteman said. He explained that part of the delay was because the office of the Contractor- General was making its own inquiries into the awarding of the contract. And at least two local salvagers had complained that their applications had been ignored by the Government. The minister said then that the technological expertise of Admiralty was what gave it the edge.
"That's not the impression I have," Mr. White-man said when asked whether the company was having second thoughts about coming to Jamaica. When pres-sed about whether the company was really coming he said: "I have no reason to believe otherwise".
But he admitted it was time for a "greater presence" from the Atlanta-based operation. That may not be likely before further research and analysis is done and an operational plan presented. Nonetheless the Minister said he expected "a more definite time table" within the next three weeks. He disclosed that because of the delays, the company could be granted an extended licence.
The Government halted salvage explorations years ago because methods used were destructive to the marine environment.
