VB Metal Detectors/Shipwrecks

[madcoco]

Just wanted to give a little info on use of metal detectors around the VB area beaches.If you decide to try your luck in beachhunting,please do not use your detector in the water. A lot of detectors are not made to be submersible and also the water areas are off limits to treasure hunting. They are under lease and protected by federal law. Any finds on the Beach are finders keepers if it is not on State Land. Just please let someone at the museum know the spot where you found it if it appears to be an artifact from a local wreck. It can help date the piece and aid in the research. We are not going to take it from you.
Earlier this month at the museum I met a nice family staying at the VB Resort. They thought they found something and asked me to take a look at it.(it was just a piece of scrap iron) The gentleman then proceeded to tell me how the waves were knocking him down while he was searching. They didn't know you couldn't hunt in the water. This was an innocent mistake but pirating of the wrecksites continue and a local " professional pirate" just landed in the federal pen. Snorkeling is also permitted on the wrecksites but do not disturb the areas. Also a couple made a nice find of a sword blade handle this month on the Beach and was going to donate it to the museum. Unfortunatly it was at Sebastian Inlet State Park and they did not notify them of the find or that they were metal detecting. We estimated the handle to be from the early mid1800s.You never know what you might find. Just don't get in trouble doing it.

 

[floridafam]

madcoco,

What happens if you are playing in the water and step on something or something washes past you?

Are you to notify someone or just leave it be?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Wow... I had no idea that an under water find was off limits.
That is way cool about the sword handle. I'm glad to see it donated to the museum, as this allows us all to enjoy it. Although the history of such an item is the best part, do you think it is worth any significant dollars?

Thanx for the report....

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by floridafam
madcoco,

What happens if you are playing in the water and step on something or something washes past you?

Are you to notify someone or just leave it be?

Kick it up on dry land!

 

[madcoco]

Kick it up on dry land!

or toss it over your shoulder. LOL floridafam That is one of those gray areas and a great question. In the remote possibility that this would happen, try to contact the museum.
If you don't have a GPS to mark the spot where you stumbled, it would be very difficult to locate that spot again and a good chance it would be covered by sand upon returning. Most objects are totally encrusted with sea growth and cemented in the old dead reefs or buried below many feet of sand in the water or under the beach line. You would never know they are there or find them without the proper equipment. However that is why sometimes valuable finds turn up after storms on the coast. If something is found obviously of value (glint of gold, greenish silver tint etc) try to place it in a container filled with seawater for keeping until being examined.

Maistre Gracey how have you been?
Anyone can get be a subcontractor’s year lease for the wreck sites on the Treasure Coast from the Fisher's. It allows you to do all the water hunting you desire or can afford. The sword handle is not worth much but a neat conversation piece. It was not silver but iron based and cannot be tied to any of the treasure wrecks. It had to be turned back over to the owners as it was found on State Land without permission for hunting.