Bahamian Politician Facilitates Law Exception in Treasure Hunting Permit Dispute

During a legal dispute over treasure hunting permits, Hubert Minnis confirmed that the owner of Walker’s Cay received an exception from Bahamian law governing underwater exploration and salvaging. This occurred while Carl Allen testified that his company, Allen Exploration, retrieved artifacts from the Nuestra Senora de la Maravillas wreckage field before obtaining a recovery permit. Dan Porter, principal of Maritime Research & Recovery, argued that this action violated Bahamian law.

The dispute centers on the recovery of artifacts from a sunken Spanish galleon, which is estimated to have carried up to $1.5bn in valuables. The granted exception and the ongoing legal challenge directly impact the regulatory risk and operational standing of the companies involved in the salvage effort.