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Commitments And Contingencies
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]  
Commitments And Contingencies

NOTE U – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Rights to Future Revenues, If Any

We have sold the rights to share in future revenues, if any, with respect to the "Seattle" (formerly "Republic") and "Cambridge" projects and have recorded $887,500 as Deferred Income from Revenue Participation Rights (See NOTE P). We are contingently liable to share the future revenue of these projects only if revenue is derived from these specific projects.

To date, the only income derived from these projects resulted in a one-time revenue distribution payment of $12,986 to the holders of the "Cambridge" RPC's.

Revenue from the SS Republic shipwreck or its cargo is not subject to revenue sharing.

In addition, on May 26, 1998, we signed an agreement with a subcontractor that entitled it to receive 5% of the post finance cost proceeds from any shipwrecks in a predefined search area of the Mediterranean Sea. A shipwreck we have found, which we believe to be HMS Sussex, is located within the specified search area and we will be responsible to share future revenues, if any, from this shipwreck. On December 9, 2002, a Georgia limited liability company acquired the 5% interest from the subcontractor through a foreclosure sale (see NOTE O).

In February 2011, we entered into a project syndication deal with Galt Resources LLC ("Galt") for which they can invest up to $10,000,000 representing rights to future revenues of any project of Galt's choosing. See NOTE P for further detail.

Legal Proceedings

The Company may be subject to a variety of claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Management currently believes that these claims and suits will not have a material adverse impact on its financial position or its results of operations.

Other commitments and contingencies

In January 2012, we entered into a 90 day firm time party charter agreement with a Norwegian company for a vessel to assist in the excavation of the Gairsoppa and Mantola sites. The charter is to commence around the May - June 2012 time frame, but the exact time will be mutually agreed to at a later time. The charter commitment is approximately 54 million NOK (Norwegian Kroner) which currently approximates $9.7 million. A payment of USD 3,000,000 is to be remitted 14 days prior to the start of the charter.

Trends and Uncertainties

Our current 2012 business plan estimates positive cash flow from operating activities. The plan contains assumptions which include that several of our planned projects are funded through project debt-type financings, syndications or other partnership opportunities. The 2012 business plan expenses include a 90-day charter agreement which we recently executed with a company to provide a ship and equipment to conduct recovery operations on the Gairsoppa and Mantola projects (see Note U of the Consolidated Financial Statements). One or more of these projected project financing or partnership opportunities may not be realized which may require the need for additional cash. Based upon our current expectations, we believe our cash position will be sufficient to fund operating cash flows throughout the rest of 2012 taking into account our beginning cash balance, current cash flow expectations and revenues from multiple sources, including projected sales, syndicated projects and potential debt financing opportunities and the available $5 million convertible debt facility We have recently received a term sheet from Fifth Third Bank which will increase our existing term loan to $5 million through July 2013. We have experienced several years of net losses resulting in a stockholders' deficit. Our capacity to generate net income in future periods is dependent upon our success in recovering and monetizing high-value shipwrecks, or to generate income from other projects. However, it is likely that we could monetize a significant portion of the Gairsoppa and Mantola projects in 2012 which could fund our operations for future periods. If cash flow is not sufficient to meet our projected business plan requirements, we will be required to raise additional capital or curtail expenses. While we have been successful in raising the necessary funds in the past, there can be no assurance that we can continue to do so in 2012.