To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the discovery of the sunken Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha, Key West is celebrating in the name of the ship’s salvager. The festival, Mel Fisher Days runs from 15-18 July in Key West’s Historic Seaport. 

Mel Fisher Days activities benefit the not-for-profit Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society, operator of the museum where objects from the Atocha and other shipwrecks are conserved, studied and displayed. Museum visitors can view items including gold and silver bars and coins, cannons and smaller weapons, rare navigational instruments, ornate jewellery and even a 77.7-carat emerald.

The galleon, which sank approximately 35 miles southwest of Key West during a 1622 hurricane, was rediscovered by Fisher and his crew in July 1985.  After a sixteen year search for the notorious vessel, they uncovered a $400 million cache of Atocha treasure and artifacts.  Today Fisher’s son and grandson continue the search for remaining artifacts and treasures on the ocean floor and each year, along with friends and family, they open the festival.

The festival kicks off with the presentation of the Mel Fisher Lifetime Achievement Award to the internationally recognised shipwreck search and salvage expert Captain Carl Fismer, who worked alongside Fisher on recovery of the Atocha.

Other attractions during Mel Fisher Days include the “Miss Atocha” bikini contest, an exuberant “tropical rock” block party headlined by Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band, a dunk tank, tricycle races, carnival games, raffle prizes and plenty of family fun. For those possessing Mel Fisher’s optimistic spirit, there is a Midnight Gambler Poker Tournament aboard Sunset Watersports’ Party Cat catamaran.

The festival culminates in a reunion of the “golden crew”.  These are the men that helped in the search for the Atocha alongside Fisher.  As the festival draws to a close they will be regaling festival goers with their tales of the search for the fabled shipwreck.  In addition, long-time Fisher associate, Pat Clyne, plans to debut his book, “The Atocha Odyssey,” featuring personal insights and more than 100 photographs that chronicle the epic adventure.

For more information on the festival visit www.melfisher.com  or the Keys website at www.fla-keys.com .

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Contact: Lisa Cooper / Kate Burgess-Craddy
lisa.cooper@kbc-pr.com / kate.burgess@kbc-pr.com

+44 (0)1825 763636
www.fla-keys.com/media

Notes to Editors:

Mel Fisher Days is scheduled to begin at 18:00, 15 July, at the Schooner Wharf Bar, William Street in Key West’s Historic Seaport.

Main events during Mel Fisher Days:

15 July –          

Presentation of the Mel Fisher Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Miss Atocha” bikini contest – with contestants encouraged to make and wear their own treasure-themed bikinis. The competitor who raises the most money for the museum wins an authentic silver coin from the Atocha site, valued at $1,800. Second- and third-place entrants receive rough emeralds.

16 July –           

Block Party in the 200 block of Key West’s Duval Street

17 July –          

Midnight Gambler Poker Tournament runs 20:00 – 02:00 abroad Sunset Watersports’ Party Cat catamaran.

18 July –          

“Golden Crew” reunion at the second-level Sunset Deck of the Westin Key West Resort, 245 Front St, runs 19:00 – 21:00

21 June 2010