[MSN] Shipwreck explorer hires help (Detroit Free Press)

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Shipwreck explorer hires help
State warned him not to disturb site
BY PEGGY WALSH-SARNECKI
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

August 14, 2006



 
An amateur underwater explorer who believes he has
found the Holy Grail of Great Lakes shipwrecks has
enlisted a Michigan maritime research group to plan
the next phase of his exploration efforts -- despite a
stern warning from state officials.

Steve Libert, who thinks he found the 17th-Century
wreck of the Griffon in Lake Michigan, has recruited
the St. Johns-based Center for Maritime and Underwater
Resource Management (CMURM).

"We don't know if it is the Griffon or not," said Ken
Vrana, president of the nonprofit group, who is to
unveil a research plan for the site at a news
conference today in Charlevoix. "The main thing is,
we're putting together the highly trained
professionals and resources needed for a first step in
this process."

The Griffon, which sank in 1679 on its maiden voyage
in northern Lake Michigan, was loaded with furs sent
by French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La
Salle. It's historically important because it was the
first sailing ship to sink on the upper Great Lakes,
and it is a time capsule of the period.

Both the State of Michigan and Libert agree that if
the wreckage is indeed the Griffon, it should be
preserved. And they agree that additional research
should be done to determine whether it is in fact La
Salle's famous ship.

But that's where the agreements end. The two are
locked in a federal court battle, each claiming rights
to study the wreckage.

The State of Michigan claims all wrecks within its
portion of the Great Lakes, and would like to handle
the research, but it doesn't know where the Griffon
is. Libert has kept that bit of info a secret, fearing
that if the state steps in, he'll be edged out of the
studies.

Because the Griffon sailed under the French flag,
Libert and his attorney, Rick Robel, say that the
matter is one of international law, which would give
the nod to the French and Libert, France's designated
explorer for the site.

He plans to put off further research and wrangle in
court rather than fill out permits demanded by the
state that require him to reveal the wreck's location.

Libert wants to use his work for documentaries or
books, and would like assurance that he will continue
to be part of the research if the state gets involved.

In the meantime, state officials say that if Libert so
much as brings up samples from the wreck for testing
or further study, it could be considered a criminal
act punishable by a wide range of penalties, from a
minor misdemeanor to a 10-year felony.

Even so, Vrana of CMURM said the group will start
raising money to pay for additional research on the
site.

The state notified CMURM last month that it was not
legally registered to raise money to explore the site,
and that it would have to apply for a permit. The
group was asked to respond to the state's notification
by Friday. CMURM did not meet the deadline, said Nate
Bailey, spokesman for the state Attorney General's
Office.

Bailey wouldn't say what would happen if the group
tried to register to legally raise money later.

"The state will do whatever is necessary to protect
the historical value of what may or may not be the
Griffon," Bailey said.

Vrana, however, said CMURM has worked with the state
in the past and expects to be able to do so in this
case.

He said the first step would be to do more research
this winter into both the history of the Griffon and
the work Libert has done. From there, his group will
develop a plan for more research.

A less famous boat probably wouldn't generate the same
level of controversy, Vrana said.

"The title to the shipwreck is kind of a sideshow to
the real issue -- is this or is this not the Griffon?"
Vrana said.

Contact PEGGY WALSH-SARNECKI at 586-469-4681 or
pwalsh at freepress.com.

Copyright © 2006 Detroit Free Press Inc.