Captain of boat seized in shipwreck dispute released

MADRID, Spain (AP) — The captain of a boat seized in a shipwreck dispute between a Tampa-based company and Spain has been released.

The Odyssey Explorer was seized yesterday as it sailed from the British colony of Gibraltar off Spain's southern tip into Spanish territorial waters. Sterling Vorus was detained soon after. He was released today after undergoing questioning.

But Spanish police continue to search the treasure-hunting ship.

The dispute began in May when the company — Odyssey — said it found a colonial-era shipwreck with coins worth 500 million dollars.

Spain argues that if the shipwrecked vessel was Spanish — or the treasure removed from its waters — the find belongs to Spain.

Odyssey insists the shipwreck was in international waters but won't give an exact location.