WE TALK ABOUT Colombia's underwater treasure quest

COLOMBIA is launching a historic underwater expedition to explore a ship that sank in the Caribbean more than 300 years ago.

This isn't just any shipwreck - it's believed to be laden with artefacts worth billions, making it the ultimate treasure hunt.

The Spanish galleon, known as the San José, met its fate near Baru Island, south of Cartagena, during a battle with British forces on 8 June 1708, a decade after its maiden voyage.

The ship sank with 600 people on board, along with a vast fortune in gold coins, pesos, and emeralds intended for the treasury of Spanish King Philip V.

Today, this fortune is estimated to be worth billions, which has led to the San José being called the "Holy Grail of Shipwrecks!" The ship remained hidden beneath the waves until 2015, when the Colombian government officially announced its discovery.

UNLOCKING THE SHIP'S MYSTERIES

The exploration of the San José will be carried out in stages by the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History.

First, they'll use special remote-controlled cameras to photograph the shipwreck underwater. This will help them identify any treasures or historical items in the vicinity of the ship. They'll also have access to a specialised underwater robot capable of reaching the ship's depth.

CONTROVERSY OVER THE TREASURE

The exploration of the shipwreck is thrilling but also complicated due to a dispute over the ownership of the ship and its treasures.

Colombia discovered the ship in its waters with help from experts worldwide and says it owns the ship. However, American salvage company SeaSearchArmada says they found it first.

The company claims they located the ship in the 1980s and are therefore entitled to $10 billion (R180bn)-half the value of the ship's cargo.

The problem is Colombian authorities say the location the company provided doesn't match its actual resting place.