
The Dare, Jose Nelson Papo Garcia

In Hollywood
movies, the Captain of a treasure hunting vessel is almost always an old salt, someone who lives
for the sea and has led a life of daring and adventure. Jose Nelson Papo Garcia, the new captain
of the Dare, is the kind of man that inspired those portrayals. A man whose love of the sea and
diving for treasure.
Read more.
Papo was born in Havana, Cuba in 1966 and began diving with his father when he was 9 years old. He
became a professional diver during a stint in the Cuban Navy and in 1987 began diving for the
governments national archaeological service. He developed a specialization in underwater photography
and video and provided footage for a 1992 National Geographic presentation Cubas Lost Treasures.
In 1992 he began serving as captain of various research vessels. His skill and knowledge led to
invitations to work on underwater sites around the world including work with French treasure diver
Frank Goddio on the ancient city of Alexandria in Egypt and a 15th century Chinese wreck in the
Philippines. He was also asked to participate in international archaeological conferences, one of
which would begin the chain of events that changed his life.
Like anyone in the business, Papo knew about the discovery of the Atocha and had seen pictures of the
treasure. Having worked on galleons of the same era he was very interested in seeing the artifacts in
person. In 1997 his chance came when he was invited to a conference at Texas A&M University. After the conference
he stopped in Key West to examine the Atocha treasure as well as finally meet a fellow treasure
hunter whose exploits he had followed for many years - Mel Fisher. The picture he had taken with Mel
on that visit is now one of his fondest possessions.
He landed in Key West on October 24th, 1999, and was a little surprised to find himself in the middle
of a giant party. I didnt know it was just a couple of days before Fantasy Fest, he says, referring
to Key Wests version of Mardi Gras. It was a little crazy, but a very good time to get here. The choice
of where to live and how he could apply his skill and experience in treasure hunting was easy for Papo:
Since long before I met him I had wanted to work for Mel Fisher so I stayed in Key West and lived with
my brother-in-law. In 2000 he officially joined the Mel Fishers Treasures team, jumping in to do
whatever needed doing - boat maintenance, helping out in the conservation lab, diving whenever the
opportunity arose.
On one of his first dives from the Magruder, Papo found three Atocha coins by visual search. For most of us,
that would be the thrill of our lives. For Jose Nelson Papo Garcia, a man who chose to continue pursuing his passion for treasure hunting, it is his life, and he wont
hesitate to tell you: I am 100% happy with it.
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The Dare
Mfg: Swiftship
Year: 1971
Reg Length: 83'-5"
Reg Breath: 21'- 7"
Reg Draft: 7'-4"
Gross Tons: 90
Power: Triple 12-71 Detroit Diesels with twin disk transmissions
Generators: Twin 3-71 30kw Detroit Diesels
Top Speed: 17 Knots
Electronics: Raymarine 10" Color Multifunction Navigational
Display System with additional Depth Display Monitor
ICOM VHF Radio
SDGPS, Chartplotter with Radar Overlay, Dual Digital
Depth Sounders
Includes: 3 Anchor Mooring System with Hydraulic Winches
2 Ton Marine Crane
Aquapulse Metal Detectors
Bauer 10cfm SCUBA Air Compressor
Sleeps up to 11 people
Tender & Anchor Vessel: 17' Boston Whaler with 150HP Yamaha 4-Stroke Engine |
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