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Odyssey's SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure Exhibit Sets Sail for G.WIZ in Sarasota, FL

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 10, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (Nasdaq:OMEX) today announced that its multi-media travelling exhibit SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure will open to the public at G.WIZ – The Science Museum in Sarasota, Florida on March 3, 2011.
/ Source: GlobeNewswire

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 10, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (Nasdaq:OMEX) today announced that its multi-media travelling exhibit SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure will open to the public at G.WIZ – The Science Museum in Sarasota, Florida on March 3, 2011.

"SHIPWRECK! is exactly the type of captivating and educational exhibit we welcome at G.WIZ. We're looking forward to introducing our guests to the fascinating world of marine archaeological exploration," said Molly Morgan, Director and CEO of G.WIZ.

Exploring much deeper than divers dare go, Odyssey has discovered some of the world's most fascinating shipwrecks. SHIPWRECK! is filled with interactive games and challenges that allow visitors to experience the thrill of shipwreck exploration while exploring some of the world's greatest maritime stories. Featuring over 500 authentic shipwreck artifacts recovered by Odyssey in the Atlantic Ocean, English Channel and Mediterranean Sea, the exhibit takes visitors on a voyage through seafaring history. A variety of authentic shipwreck treasure, decorative porcelain figurines, personal items like combs and tooth brushes and even the 300-year-old logarithmic calculator on a folding rule – the oldest ever recovered on a shipwreck site – will be on display in SHIPWRECK!

"We are delighted to showcase our exhibit in the Sarasota region, where it will be on display until July 31.SHIPWRECK! has a strong track record in the touring exhibit category as it is entertaining and educational for audiences of all ages. Demand for this updated exhibit has been tremendous and it is now booked through mid-2012 allowing us to share our amazing discoveries with more people around the country," said Mark Gordon, Odyssey President and COO.

"SHIPWRECK! will bring real-life treasure and Odyssey's high-tech operations to G.WIZ, a museum whose focus is on science and technology. This is an exciting opportunity for us and for the Sarasota region," continued Mr. Gordon. "Families, schools and youth camps as well as general shipwreck exploration enthusiasts will get a rare opportunity to take part in an experience that fuses history, science and technology through hands-on interactive and traditional exhibits."

The fascinating story of one of America's most famous shipwrecks, the Civil War era SS Republic, is the highlight of the exhibit. The Republic's vivid history is brought to life by the wide variety of treasure on display in the exhibit.First-hand accounts from the passengers aboard the Republic during her final stormy journey help paint the picture of the tragic demise. Brave guests can even step inside a hurricane wind tunnel to experience the high-powered winds that brought down the Republic, as well as thousands of other famous ships throughout history.

The pioneering techniques and technology that allowed Odyssey to discover some of the most famous wreck sites in the world including ancient Roman and Phoenicians wrecks, the Republic, the "Black Swan" site, German U-boats, French and Barbary pirate ships, and Balchin's HMS Victory are also presented. A full-size replica of ZEUS, Odyssey's eight-ton Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) which acts as the archaeologist's hands and eyes in the deep ocean will be on display.

Guests can test their skills by attempting to pick up artifacts with a working model of ZEUS' robotic arm. An interactive version of the SS Republic photomosaic is also on display. Visitors can zoom in on specific areas of the photomosaic to find artifacts as small as a domino. More than 2,500 digital photographs, taken by ZEUS, were stitched together to create this large scale photographic map of the wreck site.

Finally, SHIPWRECK!'s "World of Pirates" interactive gallery and activities immerse visitors with the lore, legends, and facts of pirates of the Caribbean, Barbary Corsairs, Privateers and Buccaneers. Guests can learn how to identify pirate vessels on the horizon using spyglasses, raise the banners of notorious pirates, learn to tie essential knots for life on the high seas, and create their own pirate in an interactive game!

SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure will be on display at G.WIZ located at 1001 Boulevard of the Arts in Sarasota. The Museum is open to the public 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket prices for general admission and this special exhibit are $15 for adults; $10 for children under 16. G.WIZ and ASTC members only pay $5 for adults; $3 for children under 16. For more information, call 941-309-4949.

About G.WIZ

G.WIZ, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1990 and moved into its current facility in 2000. The organization's mission is to serve as a gateway for lifelong adventures in science G.WIZ is a champion for science education in Sarasota County and the entire state of Florida. The museum serves 125,000 people each year; 50,000 of these are school-age children. G.WIZ is a member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers, the Florida Association of Museums, and the Science and Environment Council of Sarasota County. The museum is located in Sarasota's bayfront cultural district at The Blivas Science & Technology Center, 1001 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, Florida 34236. For more information, visit www.gwiz.org or call 941-309-4949. 

About Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.

Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (Nasdaq:OMEX) is engaged in deep-ocean exploration using innovative methods and state-of-the-art technology. The Company is a world leader in shipwreck exploration, conducting extensive search and archaeological recovery operations on deep-ocean shipwrecks around the world. Odyssey also owns approximately 41% of Dorado Ocean Resources, a company formed in 2010 to discover and commercialize high-value mineral deposits from the ocean floor, and provides proprietary deep-ocean expertise and equipment to Dorado under contract. Odyssey also provides deep-ocean contracting services to governments and companies around the world.

Odyssey discovered the Civil War-era shipwreck of the SS Republic® in 2003 and recovered over 50,000 coins and 14,000 artifacts from the site nearly 1,700 feet deep. In May 2007, Odyssey announced the historic deep-ocean treasure recovery of over 500,000 silver and gold coins, weighing 17 tons, from a Colonial era site code-named "Black Swan." In February 2009, Odyssey announced the discovery of Balchin's HMS Victory. Odyssey also has other shipwreck projects in various stages of development around the world.

Odyssey offers various ways to share in the excitement of deep-ocean exploration by making shipwreck treasures and artifacts available to collectors, the general public and students through its webstore, exhibits, books, television, merchandise, educational programs and virtual museum located at www.odysseysvirtualmuseum.com.

Odyssey's shipwreck operations are the subject of a Discovery Channel television series titled "Treasure Quest," produced by JWM Productions. The 12-episode first season aired worldwide in 2009.

For details on Odyssey's activities and its commitment to the preservation of maritime heritage please visit . 

The Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7185

Odyssey Marine Exploration believes the information set forth in this Press Release may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Certain factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are set forth in "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT: Liz Shows Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (813) 876-1776 x 2335 lshows@shipwreck.net