New Exhibition Sets Sail for Discovery Place – Odyssey Marine Exploration's SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure

Opens Saturday, July 4. Tickets go on sale TODAY.

February 12, 2009

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Ahoy mateys! Guests charting a course for Discovery Place this summer will embark on a deep-sea expedition at the Museum’s new exhibition, SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure beginning Saturday, July 4. Tickets to board the swashbuckling adventure go on sale today, Feb. 12.

SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure comes directly from Odyssey Marine Exploration, the deep-ocean shipwreck explorers featured in “Treasure Quest” on Discovery Channel, and whose discoveries include the SS Republic®, the shipwreck site “Black Swan” and HMS Victory.

Featuring hundreds of priceless artifacts and treasures recovered from deep-ocean archaeological excavations, SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure plunges guests beneath the sea to uncover the mysteries of some of the world’s most-famous shipwrecks. Through interactive, multimedia experiences, guests can experience the world of deep-ocean exploration and the thrill of uncovering history and treasure buried - but not forgotten.

“Discovery Place is proud to showcase this one-of-a kind view of deep-sea exploration as the first in a newly-renovated portion of the Museum,” said John Mackay, president and CEO of Discovery Place. “A blend of high-technology and nautical mystery, SHIPWRECK! will provide an educational and entertaining underwater-escape for guests of all ages.”

The highlight of the exhibition takes guests 1,700 feet below the Atlantic Ocean to the wreck site of the SS Republic®, the greatest shipwreck treasure of the Civil War era. More than 51,000 gold and silver coins and approximately 14,000 additional artifacts were recovered in the world’s most-extensive, deep-ocean, archaeological excavation.

Families navigating through the interactive, multi-media exhibition also can pilot a robot submersible; discover what it takes to be a deep-sea explorer; learn about the research, technology, archaeological recovery and conservation involved in the quest for deep-sea treasures and knowledge; walk the plank to get an up-close look at the world of pirates; battle the forces of nature in a 75-mph hurricane tube and much more.

“North Carolina has a rich shipwreck history and the SS Republic sailed these waters, so bringing SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure to Charlotte is a natural fit,” said John Longley, Director of Business Development for Odyssey Marine. “This exhibit is one of the many ways we share the technology and discoveries from our deep-ocean, shipwreck expeditions, and we are greatly looking forward to bringing it to Discovery Place, which with its reputation for unique and high-profile exhibits, is an ideal partner.”

SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure is on display at Discovery Place from July 4, 2009 – Jan. 31, 2010 and is included with Museum admission. Ticket pricing is: $10 for adults (14-59); $8 for children (2-13) and seniors (60+); and free for children younger than 2. Tickets can be purchased online at discoveryplace.org; in person at the Museum or by calling 877-849-4377. Group discounts and reservations are available.

For more information on pricing or programming, call 704-372-6261, ext. 300 or visit discoveryplace.org.

SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure is sponsored by Wachovia (Education Sponsor), Food Lion (Supporting Sponsor), Optima Engineering (Corporate Patron), The Charlotte Observer (Media Sponsor), Midrex Technologies and Diamond Springs Water (Special Event Sponsors).

About Odyssey Marine Exploration
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (NasdaqCM: OMEX) is engaged in the exploration of deep-ocean shipwrecks and uses innovative methods and state-of-the-art technology to conduct extensive search and archaeological recovery operations 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, the Company 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. The Company 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, and educational programs. JWM Productions recently concluded filming Odyssey’s 2008 “Atlas” expeditions for an 11-part primetime series for Discovery Channel, which premiered in the United States in January 2009 and which is scheduled to air worldwide later in 2009.

Following previous successful engagements in New Orleans, Tampa, and Detroit, Odyssey’s “SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure” exhibition is currently on display at Science Center Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, OK through May 2009. For details on the Company’s activities and its commitment to the preservation of maritime heritage please www.shipwreck.net.

For more detailed information on Odyssey, please contact Natja Igney, Odyssey’s Manager of Corporate Communications, at 813-876-1776.

About Discovery Place
Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon Street. Convenient parking is available in the Museum’s parking garage – the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex – at the corner of Sixth and Church Streets. For more information about Discovery Place, guests should call 704- 372-6261 or visit discoveryplace.org.

One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that foster experiences in areas that range from life science to marine biology. More than a half-million people from all over the United States visit Discovery Place, its IMAX® Dome Theatre and Charlotte Nature Museum each year. Discovery Place is supported, in part, with a Basic Operating Grant from the Arts & Science Council.

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