Contrary to popular belief, the world’s greatest treasure hunter is not Indiana Jones, no.. no... it's not his father either.... the greatest treasure hunter to grace this planet was a man named, Mel Fisher, He is a legend in the treasure hunting community, This man and his finds were...amazing. He searched the waters off the florida coast for over 16 years, scouring the depths for legendary 17th century spanish galleons (the Nuestra Senora de Atocha and the Santa) which sank in a mass shipwreck in which 8 or 9 vessels were lost during a violent hurricane on September 6, 1622, near Key west.

Many people thought Mel Fisher was crazy, but he never swayed, not even after the death of his son, daughter inlaw and another diver (lost thier lives while out treasure hunting, when thier boat took on water and capsized) the loss deeply affected Mr Fisher, But he stuck with his dream and never let go. Every day during the long 16 year search he would say, “Today’s the Day" and on July 20, 1985....IT WAS....

In a scene reminicent of the pirate movies of old... Mr Fisher & his team discovered the “Atocha Mother Lode” 41 tons of silver and gold. including aprox 100,000 Spanish silver pieces of eight, emeralds from colombia, gold and silver artifacts like jewel encrusted rings, crosses and chains. 1000 silver bars, and a hoard of gold coins spilling from wooden chests on the bottom.. Divers at the time reported the pile of riches was like an artificial reef, lobsters were actually living in it. The find was worth over 450 million dollars

Today, treasure can still be found all along the cost of florida.. especially after a storm or a hurricane removes the top layer of sand.. Hence the name.. The treasure coast.. I myself have found a few pieces of eight while hunting Vero beach in florida with my detector (7 years later... I'm still hot on the trail of the 1715 Spanish plate fleet wreck) ... any day now... any day.