Bob Marx to lecture this week in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, FLA.—The Florida Institute of Technology Foosaner Art Museum will host a slide lecture presented by undersea explorer Robert Marx, titled “Panama Treasures,” on Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the museum’s Harris Auditorium. The presentation, which highlights Marx’s adventures in Panama, blends real-life adventure and colorful history with the thrill of discovery. Seats are limited, reservations are required (321) 242-0737. The program is $5 for non-members and free to Florida Institute of Technology faculty, staff, and students with their campus I.D. and free to museum members.

["SideImagingSoft.com - Humminbird Side Imaging Forums"]

Any chance someone could video and share.  I would even pay to see a webcast.

Robert

I met Bob Marx once, he is quite the character with a life time of experience. He ranks right up there with Teddy Tucker.
ZDD

I was thinking of doing a video, I'll let you know!

Speaking of characters which Bob Marx certainly is, I am reviewing a book by Robert MacKinnon of Nova Scotia entitled
"Treasure Hunter, Diving for Gold on North America's Death Coast."

I had the opportunity to work with MacKinnon on a couple of wrecks in the cold, clear and often stormy waters of Cape Breton and I can vouch for his knowledge and skill. He writes as only someone who has spent most of his life on and under the water could and writes in a no nonsense style which mirrors his personality. He also tells interesting tales of several of Canada's marine archaeologists, which will come as no surprise to anyone who has had to deal with government "experts".

I'll let everyone here know when it is to be released, it will be published by Penguin Press.


Pirate Diver 

Looking forward Pirate Diver to some very fine reading, please let us know when it comes out.
                                                       Panfilo

I asked Bob about the video and he told me the museum doesn't allow it.

I asked Bob about the video and he told me the museum doesn't allow it.

That's really too bad you can't video, there are not to many guys still around from the glory days of the 50-s and 60-s. Any chance to hear these guys talk is worth the price of admission for sure.
I will be getting Robert's book and Teddy Tucker's as well.
I am sure Robert is pi$$ed because of the new laws that have been pushed through in Nova Scotia that mirror UNESCO's crap.
All permit's with the exception of Oak Is. have been revoked. I can hardly talk about it because it gets my blood boiling.
ZDD

Speaking of characters which Bob Marx certainly is, I am reviewing a book by Robert MacKinnon of Nova Scotia entitled
"Treasure Hunter, Diving for Gold on North America's Death Coast."

I had the opportunity to work with MacKinnon on a couple of wrecks in the cold, clear and often stormy waters of Cape Breton and I can vouch for his knowledge and skill. He writes as only someone who has spent most of his life on and under the water could and writes in a no nonsense style which mirrors his personality. He also tells interesting tales of several of Canada's marine archaeologists, which will come as no surprise to anyone who has had to deal with government "experts".

I'll let everyone here know when it is to be released, it will be published by Penguin Press.



Pirate Diver  

Hey, did you know that Rob Marx also spent some time up here in the warm water's of Nova Scotia. He was working on finding the Tilbury.
ZDD

Wish I could make it.
I really need to get down to FL and talk to Sir Marx!

Wish I could make it.
I really need to get down to FL and talk to Sir Marx!

"Sir" Robert Marx once told me to my face that we would kill me... ;)

"Sir" Robert Marx once told me to my face that he would kill me... ;)"

Sensible man can’t blame him there LOL

I am sure his "Bark" would always be more than his "Bite".

He like many of us get totally frustrated with the inflexibility, intolerance and flawed ideology of many in the unelected academic underwater archaeological community.

He was a leading figure in Underwater Archaeology for many years (as published by UNESCO) and many have learnt more colonial maritime history from him than they would ever do from the academic world.

I disagree. He's a liar, his "research" is full of holes and just happened to be someone who just happened to be at the right place at the right time.

If you wanna come up with a treasure hunter that was all that, you must quote Robert Sténuit.

"Sir" Robert Marx once told me to my face that he would kill me... ;)"

Sensible man can’t blame him there LOL

I am sure his "Bark" would always be more than his "Bite".

He like many of us get totally frustrated with the inflexibility, intolerance and flawed ideology of many in the unelected academic underwater archaeological community.

He was a leading figure in Underwater Archaeology for many years (as published by UNESCO) and many have learnt more colonial maritime history from him than they would ever do from the academic world.

Wish I could make it.
I really need to get down to FL and talk to Sir Marx!

"Sir" Robert Marx once told me to my face that we would kill me... ;)

I take it you wont be attending.

Alexandre . I agree with you . And I am old enough to know what I am talking about !  In my book Marx is a snake oil sales man .  Cornelius

Not surprising to read some of the comments one comes across in Treasurenet as there are two very different and sadly antagonistic positions in regards to the commercial salvage of treasure around the world. One speaks about a person by how ones dealings with that person developed, certainly so. As Bob Marx is not on this forum to defend himself I don’t think it fair to categorize him in any of those derogatory terms. I for one have known Bob for over 20 years and can only speak good things about him and have only had superb assistance in many, many historical investigations of which he is an authority next to none.
An old Spanish proverb or phrase that my father used to teach us when we were kids says, (pardon the rough translation) “ that which Peter says about Paul says more of Peter than it says of Paul”
                                                              Panfilo

An old Spanish proverb or phrase that my father used to teach us when we were kids says, (pardon the rough translation) “ that which Peter says about Paul says more of Peter than it says of Paul”
                                                              Panfilo

Here, Here
ZDD

[all]

Over the years I have heard both good things and bad things about Bob Marx. It seems he brings out extreme opinions in some folks. I have to reserve judgement, being that I am, like most, --deleted-- of all the facts. One thing is clear though. Bob Marx, controversial as he may be, is also a pioneer in both treasure hunting and undersea archaeology. I think, at the very least, he should be remembered for that. Those of you that want to dwell on his bad reputation need to find something more positive to do...
Aquanut

Agree with Aquanut, and sticking to facts. Rumors have abounded concerning Mr. Marx more contemporary activities. Is there proof i am not aware of in these accusations? Without the works or Bob Marx and Mel Fisher, we wouldn't have as many boisterous and scathing exchanges in this forum. Does anyone have a name of a Private Salver who is not partially covered with barnacles?

[www.ssssllc.com]

In this world there are people who do it and people who talk about it.

Bob Marx is one of the few who has actually gone out there and done it. www.ssssllc.com

Of course in any world when you go out and do it you will upset someone somewhere, so it is not surprising there are few sour grapes ready to slag off the people who have actually gone out there and done it.

I would rather see one Bob Marx in the world than fifty tax paid academic underwater archaeologist !

Those who can... do

Those who can't.... teach

Those who can't teach..... administrate

an other old saying is.....

If they are not talking about you.....
you most probably are not doing anything....

Sir Bob has earned his place in the sun and both my wife and I am for
two, are proud to have broken bread and know him....
 

I am both a friend, and a fan of Bob Marx for 35 years. I look forward to an opportunity to see him again.   humble

It was just such a lecture that Bob Marx presented at the Cocoa Beach library in 1991 that got me started (professionally) in the historic shipwreck business. Bob contacted Mel on my behalf and got me my 1st subcontract on the 1715 fleet. He has been a mentor to me over the last 20 years.

Tom

He is definitly an old school, not politicly correct, tell it like it is kind of guy.  I had met him several times when he worked for Real 8 and after his finds were taken away from the Maravillas.  My dad used to deal with Real 8 he was the cob broker, and he would bring shipwreck items, and old bottles to trade for cobs at the Museum of Sunken Treasure in Satellite Beach, just North of Cocoa Beach.  After I started driving at 16, and when I wanted to borrow my dads van to drive my buddies and me over to Sebastian Inlet to surf, he started having me bring boxes of bottles and stuff over to the museum, and I would bring home a box of cobs.  Usually I was met at the back door by a big strong guy with black hair, who was Bob Marx.  I was there the day after all the gold was stolen in 1971 I think, the day that Mel Fisher left Real 8, and was met by Bob Marx and he told me what happened.  I was over with my dad in Indiatlantic, (I think I was 14 or 15)and he was going over to Bob's house to trade and talk.  My dad said, you should wait here(motel), I said, I have heard it all I can handle it.  We went over to his house and he told my dad the story of the crooked Bahamian government, and I have never heard so many explicitives describing a Bahamian.  Or all Bahamians.  More curse words than normal words.  He was spitting mad telling the story, and back then, his bite would have been a lot worse than his bark.  He was a big strong man.  Needless to say he cannot go back to the bahamas.  Some kind of a crooked deal was going on behind his back when they found out he did find treasure.  He went through the Navy dive team and lived, he has been bit by a Mako shark and lived, been underwater with explosives that went off next to him, lots of other injuries that would put down most men.  He is a great UW archeoligist, a great story teller, and I would love to hear him again.

My father is a close friend of Mr. Marx. I have met him 3 times while visiting with my father. I immensely enjoy sitting and listening to him and my dad chqt. he is a world of knowledge and I hope to grow up to do half of what he has done. A bit of a grouch at times, but he's earned the right to be so. I wiosh I could be there, but we are out of Florida now and my dad is off to frica in a few days, mining diamonds and gold. He will be running two eight inch dredges, and his artner is right now building a 10 in cutter head dredge for their operations. I know Bob would love to be there with my father grubbing for gold and diamonds. I saw Bob a few months ago and all those that know him should make attempts to see him as his health is going down hill. Dosen't help that when Jenifer leaves on trips he eats stuff he is not supposed to eat.
Gerrison.

[Totally IMPOSSIBLE and so RIDICULOUS!]

Sorry to say but I gotta add my ten cents here. When I met Marx in 1989 on our Flor do Mar project in Indonesia, I was excited and we all looked up to him. Unfortunately, that all changed when a few years later when he was suddenly writing articles about how 'he' found this ship and was even going around selling Flor do Mar 'artifacts' to everyone and his brother. That's really funny because if the Flor do Mar was really found, why didn't the Indonesian Government (who keep their representatives on board ever shipwreck project vessel and get 50 percent anything that's found) even know about it or even get a single COIN off of this wreck? Totally IMPOSSIBLE and so RIDICULOUS!

Well, all I can say is that it's ashamed that such a person like Marx who 'used' to be so well respected has somehow slipped into a life of selling fake artifacts to innocent buyers worldwide. Many innocent buyers are sickened by the fake 'Flor do Mar', as well as other so-called 'shipwreck artifacts, that Marx has sold them over the years. That's why they are seriously going after him now. I was contacted a few months ago by a lawyer (based in Melbourne, FL) who's putting together a major fraud case against Marx. If anyone has purchased any 'shipwreck artifacts' from him in these past several years, I'd advise you to bring those to an expert to get them authenticated. If they turn out to be fakes, I can put you in touch with the lawyer.

I did ask the lawyer if Marx already knows about this fraud case you're preparing against him and he said, 'He sure does! He is quite aware of everything that is going on now'. So, my question now is - If you didn't already know about it, why don't some of you who claim to be so close to Marx, kindly ask him about this case and let us know his response to that?

TW

Bob Marx doesn’t need anybody to defend him here. The thing that is troubling about the only other two negative posts on Bob Marx is that he does not post on Treasurenet, at least I have not read any, so it’s not correct or proper to attack a person’s integrity without him being here to present his side of the story and defend himself. Clearly if someone and their lawyer feel they have been wronged by him they are in their right to sue him but he gets his chance to tell his side of the story and a fair hearing. Not so in a forum where he does not participate.
Regarding the jade Flor do Mar figures, as we all know, in shipwreck artifacts there are many probable explanations and scenarios that could explain their origin without jumping to the conclusion they are fake. Though I have never spoken to Bob about them, we all know that after the team of a three day expedition leaves an area, the locals usually follow and sometimes they are the ones that at leisure find the wreck and sadly recover artifacts without any proper archaeological techniques or methodology. Present antiquities markets are full of such original yet undocumented finds and everyday the UNESCO Convention is in force , with its “in situ preservation” policy, more wreck artifacts will sadly be showing up in the world markets as we live in an imperfect world where the “locals” live in poverty levels and the easily recovered antiquities fetch a handsome price.
I f Bob Marx is to be accused of something, let it be done in a court of law with due process and a good lawyer standing beside him for him to tell his side of the story. When somebody says he told him he would kill him but not the rest of the story or the context of the threat, the circumstances, only half truths and omits the rest, I don’t think it’s fair. Bottom line is that Bob has many people that respect him and will attest to his proper business manner and a few that don’t. After 60 or more years in this unique business that is only normal for somebody that has dived in more than 2,000 wrecks. Some of our better “desk archaeologists” have only read about them or dived in a handful of them.
                                                                                    Panfilo   

One of the first lessons

Everyone who has taken the "front of the line" 
learns is...

"expect to get some eggs thrown at you!"

Here is another one for all of you...

"If a group of guys are standing together, how do you tell
which one is the true explorer?"

Panfilo,

I agree with you on one thing - let the courts decide on the Marx fraud case. If he's innocent and the artifact buyers are all full of it, then so be it.

TW

I am with you T . But then ...... who are we ?   Cornelius

or as the kids say these days...

Don't hate, congratulate!  

Don’t hate, appreciate!

The answer to my question is...

He is the guy with all the arrows in his back.....
You see, he is so out there in front of the crowd
even his friends and or beneficuraries  end up taking shots
at him!

The answer to my question is...

He is the guy with all the arrows in his back.....
You see, he is so out there in front of the crowd
even his friends and or beneficuraries  end up taking shots
at him!

Capt Dom, If people have to take shots at you ( not you literally ) then you are obviously doing something right. You can't make everyone in the world happy. We all have opinions and some times they conflict with the opinions of others. I would also point out that there is probably a little pirate in everyone in this business. That doesn't make someone a bad person.
Personally, I think we would all be better off if we could ALL band together and work together. Look at UNESCO ? Don't you think it would be nice to have a lobby to fight them in this Country and Others. I look at leaving a wreck in situ and rotting on the bottom for hundreds of years, the same way I look at leaving food on your plate and throwing it away. Both things are a waste.

Thanks old man for helping to drive home
the point of my ramblings...
most of us treasure hunters are too
busy, sitting around
and shooting each other and
thus ourselves in the foot!

One of the greatest things the finding of the gold bird brought to me was a meeting with Bob Marx - I know all the controversy and all the stories and have been diving long enough to have no stars in my eyes -
my Mom is a sea captain from way back and we have in the Bahamas dealt with many so full of bs you can' t even imagine
and the pressure is always on to dislike those that are not PC (politically correct)
Bob is the real thing - yeah everyone loves to hate that - but first impression Mom said hey I LIKE him  and I'll second that

to me Bob is a hero - give me another if you think I'm off base - when you have his finds, his life, his background let me know
and I won't worry if your record isn't spotless - there are never any complaints about those who do nothing

Capt Bonnie - Gold Hawg