FAQ
What is Treasure & Shipwreck Recovery?
Treasure & Shipwreck Recovery (TSR) is a publicly-traded company under the Stock Symbol (BLIS). It is a fully reporting, audited Company with the Securities & Exchange Commission, specializing in the recovery of ancient shipwrecks and their cargos of precious metals, gold, silver, gems, jewels and objects of all kind. TSR specializes in pre-colonial shipwrecks from 1500-1800, off the East Coast of Florida and other parts of the Caribbean, as well as development of a game for treasure wreck hunting for IOS, Android and online, and a multimedia television series.
How Does TSR Find Treasure Wrecks?
TSR only goes where there is known shipwrecks! We do not guess. We go to find the treasure that is there, in known places. TSR utilizes substantial amounts of research that have already been done and earlier recoveries by others less equipped. TSR only goes to places where there are known treasure wrecks existing in shallow waters. There is a great amount of research that has been done and recoveries made for decades. As to the records both in Spain and Havana, Cuba, along with prior recoveries and rights, we narrow the odds down to reality, not speculation. We only go where there have already been some recoveries made from these shipwrecks. Most of the time the shipwrecks have not even had any appreciable recovery so there is a lot of treasure and valuable artifacts remaining. Spain on its own estimates that 702 Galleons were lost due to mainly due to weather, wrecking on shoals, and the ships themselves. That is why TSR partners with parties that have existing claims and rights. TSR is able to gain its own rights in international waters on shipwrecks as well.
Can I Invest in TSR, the BLIS Stock?
Yes, there are two ways to invest. First, you can purchase BL IS stock on the open market, under the symbol BLIS. Second, you can invest in the Company directly through offerings. You can contact us for such an investment, usually at a discount to the market under private or public offerings. We are planning a Regulation A offering in the short term for individuals and entities.
What does it mean for TSR-BLIS to a Fully Reporting SEC Company?
That means our common shares are registered securities with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which means we are audited by public auditors, and file quarterly and annual reports of all finances and material events. It brings accountability and transparency to us, which any shareholder or investor can view in our filings. TSR is led by a founder and president who has been a Securities counsel representing up to a hundred public companies over time. As well we utilize great accounting personnel and outside counsel for matters required. You can see our public filings on the SEC website.
Does TSR Hold Rights to any Suspected Treasure Sites Currently?
Yes. TSR has contracted rights to a number of wreck site areas including ones with proven wrecks in the areas. As a matter of fact, we are practically making daily recoveries which you can see pictures of on our website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. TSR is constantly Engaged to find other wreck sites. Both in the US and international areas. Currently, we are working off the East Coast of Florida. On the 1715 fleet wreck, sites are partnered with Gold Hound LLC, As part of the 1715 Queens Jewels Fleet area.
How is Treasure & Shipwreck Recovery-BLIS Unique?
People, Technology, Business Sense, and Relationships. The main problem with the treasure industry before was very few people or entities got along because the industry is plagued essentially with persons who do not approach Treasure Salvage as a business. Most are not business oriented, and they do not get along over decades of work. TSR-BLIS is unique in our approach. We will get along with and do deals with anyone that make economic sense. That is why we only partner with the best who have known treasure wreck sites. We also use, have acquired, and are always seeking the best equipment possible for the detection and salvage of treasure and artifacts. Our equipment and approach to the industry as a business is unlike most all of the other companies.
Does Treasure & Shipwreck Recovery have competitors?
No. Treasure recovery is like mining gold or oil drilling, everyone has their own targets for the most part, and what is recovered always has value either on the market or as assets. The only competition is perhaps over sight, but we avoid that by only working sights where a partner has rights legally and exclusively, or we develop our own. Where we are presently working, only the main owning partner has rights, and the new areas we are going to are licensed to new partners. As well our founder/president does admiralty claims for new wrecks found in certain areas which would be exclusive to TSR BLIS.
What makes you unique from other marine salvage companies?
For starters, we are not a marine salvage company alone. Our business plan is diversified. Not only treasure salvage from sights, but also expansion into gaming, multimedia and potential television show built on the story of real-life treasure hunting reality show.
Has TSR-BLIS recovered treasure?
Yes. Quite a bit, and ongoing nearly every day, weather permitting, on the sites we are partnered on for part of the 1715 Fleet wrecks and are expanding to other sights both in Florida waters and in other waters. We have a collection of artifacts that we have not valued yet, and after expedition season off Florida we will get that part of the division of artifacts. We have some very unique artifacts, aside from gold, silver coins, etc.
What if you do not recover any treasure, what happens then?
This is quite simply the biggest risk factor. Even though we plan to go after multiple sites, as proven as possible, there is never an assurance that we will recover treasure or large amounts. Read our prospectus and risk factors before making any investment decision. This is not for the faint of heart.
But Doesn’t Spain, or Other Countries Want their treasure from such shipwrecks?
The only rights that Spain would have to any of the treasure that is found. Is actually if it came off of worship. For instance, all of the racks from the 1715 fleet. 1622 Fleet and others. Have never been able to be claimed by Spain. Because they were commercial vessels. Warships f they can prove that they were actual warships of their Navies that existed at the time would be subject to. U.S. law as being still the property of the country. However, 90 plus percent of the wrecks were commercial vessels that were transporting Treasure back to their country, for instance Spain.
As a Shareholder would I have rights to Artifacts and Treasure?
As a Treasure & Shipwreck Recovery shareholder you will not have direct rights to ownership of recovered treasure, however we may make portions available for certain level holders or purchasers as part of deals we make with larger investors. In our Game, when developed we may offer coins and other objects as prizes.
How can I be part of the private sale?
Please contact us directly for investment or follow our links to be posted in the future. We are currently planning and have counsel for a Regulation A Offering, which we be open to all investors who qualify.
Are All the Shipwrecks Displayed Part of TSR?
We wish! We are in the business of existing, known wreck sites, not hunches, or stories from fisherman. No, many we display are for historical reference, such as the Atocha, found by Mel Fisher in 1985 as a reference, which to date is still the most valuable shipwreck found in U.S. waters. We are on part of the 1715 Fleet wreck, and other sights to be announced. We want to educate, and let people know how valuable and historical many of the wrecks are. Of the ten ships sunk in the 1715 Fleet that fateful night of July 31st, only approximately half have been found or salvaged to any extent. But we seek ones that have not been fully researched, surveyed and salvage.
Will TSR-BLIS sell all its treasure and artifacts?
No. We will hold much of such treasure as assets, but will sell, or exhibit at cost some of the artifacts. We actually have a plan to display many items with partners and may start our own museum, with ours and others treasure to display.
But Won’t Countries Want their Treasure Back from their Ships?
First we will only work with salvors who have admiralty orders or rights from a jurisdiction country. When they do they have rights of recovery, it is a kind of a maritime legal finders’ keepers with usually a split to the State or Country. The only real time a country can claim a ship is if it was a warship, which we will strive to avoid. The vast majority of ships from any period that were lost with valuable objects were merchant ships. Many times, the identity of a vessel can never be ascertained just due to 300 or 400 years of being submerged.
How many Ships are there to be found?
According to some estimates, there is more gold sunk with treasure wrecks than is held in the world today! Some say 6,000,000 shipwrecks around the world, obviously we are more narrowed to Florida and the Caribbean areas. Off Florida alone the estimate is 100 Spanish Galleons were lost. The numbers are huge on unrecovered wrecks. It is estimated that less than one percent of the world’s shipwrecks have ever been subject to salvage. Large percentages of ships from the early 1520s to the later 1700s were lost at sea, many of them in shallow recoverable waters. As mentioned, Spain itself has traced over 700 lost Spanish Galleons, let alone, British, French and vessels from the Netherlands and Portugal. There are also any number of “Pirate” ships that raided the merchant vessels, and then sunk themselves due to weather, reefs, or simply being sunk in battle by other enemy ships.
Is there really pirate treasure to be found?
Yes! Everyone likes to think of shipwrecks as being involved with pirates, and many of the shipwrecks are, but a minority of them. Some of these were controlled and involved by what you would call pirates. However, you also have to understand that many of these so-called pirates were actually working for countries such as Britain. and France and so forth under what were called letters of marquee, granting them rights to pillage and steal treasure for their own countries. Were they were granted licenses to intercept and steal the treasure and artifacts off of commercial vessels that were sailing back to France, Spain or wherever. So, the answer is yes, pirate treasure really does exist on numerous wrecks. As to buried treasure in some unknown places, that is not part of our business, and really to our knowledge no such thing has ever been found in quantities like the movies.
How are Shipwreck Sites Decided Upon?
Research, due diligence and more research. Expert archaeologists know the industry, the players, wreck histories, and most of all how to research the histories of shipwrecks, from the museums in Spain, to Havana, and around the world. We simply will take the best places possible that have produced and should produce before we ever invest the first money in any project, put our ships, crews and technologies on such places. Remember, TSR-BLIS only goes to proven areas, where recoveries had already been found, but we utilize better boats, recovery and search technology and expertise.
What will Treasure & Shipwreck Recovery do with the Treasure and Artifacts?
First objects be they gold, silver, coins, jewelry, firearms, old liquor bottles, and any other items will be conserved to clean and protect them. We have locations and persons available to do that. Then we will store some, display some, loan some to museums, perhaps road shows, and can sell some to put the proceeds back our asset holdings for the Shareholders and our Companies value.
Can I get a chance to go on a recovery operation with TSR-BLIS?
Yes. With some levels of investment, we are planning to arrange visits at one of the recovery operations. While this will not mean you can necessarily dive due to the dangers and liability, the opportunities to be there will likely be offered. We will announce more on this later. We also may offer this for winners at certain times in our game being developed.
Why is there not More Treasure Salvage going on?
Two words, expense and expertise. Treasure salvage has been going on since the early 1960s off the coast of Florida, for instance. Many of those who were in the business and have been kind of mom and pop operations for the most part. But that has gone and dwindled down to be just a number of companies and people who have the rights or can get the rights to shipwrecks off of Florida shores for example. It is dangerous, it is costly. It takes a great amount of effort and expertise to do. What we do and our partner groups do.
Is there Danger Involved in this Business?
Yes! Over time for numerous reasons multiple divers have died, as well as crews at sea during salvage expeditions. As well, weather can catch you and sink a boat. And many other things can happen. Obviously we have the meteorological Data, etc. that the early mariners in the 1500s to 1700s did not, giving us ability to track weather so we avoid that. However, anything involving diving can be dangerous. The number of divers lost just due to the very nature of what they are doing is more than appreciable. TSR-BLIS demands regulation and constant awareness of our Divers activities, gear and many other things, both with our own contracted divers and partners. No one in the industry does not know of someone who was lost in such endeavors. This industry is not for the faint hearted!
Do you use submersibles, submarines, etc?
No and Yes. TSR-BLIS uses Remote sensors because we are in shallow waters, such as Magnetometers, side scan sonar, and other proprietary technology. Most of our expeditions are less than 100 feet so submersible submarines are not appropriate. However, sonars, and magnetometers and other equipment to detect matter are more appropriate. When we have targets the divers go down usually with hand held detectors to find metals, but at the same time find pottery, emeralds, and many other items in the same area.
Is Treasure Salvage Your Only Business?
No! We are in the treasure recovery business as a main prong, but it is one of three, and may expand. While we want to gather treasure sights and recoveries, we know business, and our model is other sources of revenue. That includes a world class Gaming adventure which will be brought to the world, as well as multimedia and reality television in our plans. We are have been developing the game concept for play by everyone to appreciate and enjoy treasure salvage. We will announce that as it develops. As well the Company is a collector of artifacts and treasure that we find right to invest in as assets. We are also in line to follow and attempt to gather other related technologies in our field, as well as NFTs of holdings we hold. We want to maximize our relationships, and develop new ones for new opportunities as well as treasure.
Is TSR-BLIS Ecologically Sensitive on such Sights?
Absolutely. The sights we are presently on, and will be as planned are governed (in the State waters of Florida and elsewhere) for ecological conservation, as well as full documentation and archaeological history of such sites. Notably in all our present areas we do not disturb any coral reefs, since they are absent, and merely digging or blowing sand, simply refills itself. We are and will be accountable on all such matters to State and Governmental entities under ourselves and our contracting partners.