If you read the statues and even the permit you can see they can investigate targets identified by remote sensing. If they need to dig they need environmental permits.

AND IF/WHEN THEY IDENTIFY A HISTORICAL SHIPWRECK AGREED TO BY THE DIVISION AND THE PERMITEE, THEN AND ONLY THEN CAN THEY APPLY FOR A PHASE 3 RECOVERY PERMIT.

Notice the 80/20 comes with Phase 3.

1A-31.0062 Types of Permit.
(1) The division may issue two types of permits:
(a) An exploration permit (Phase1) allows the permittee to collect remote sensing and visual information on potential historic shipwreck sites without excavation or bottom disturbance. The exploration permit may be modified in writing (Phase2) at a later stage to allow such disturbance and excavation for purposes of attempting to determine the presence or absence and the nature of potential historic shipwreck sites. The number, location, extent and type of such test excavations shall be specified in the permit modification.
(b) A recovery permit (Phase3) may be issued only after the existence and nature of a historic shipwreck site has been documented by exploration permit activities and mutually agreed upon by the division and the permittee. A recovery permit allows the permittee to conduct more extensive excavations and recover archaeological materials, and allows for the transfer of title to the permittee of objects recovered, per Rule 1A-31.090, F.A.C. The number, location, extent and type of such excavation and recovery operations shall be specified in the permit.
(2) The division shall not issue multiple permits for any active permit area or historic shipwreck site that is within an active permit area.
Rulemaking Authority 267.031(1) FS. Law Implemented 267.031(2), 267.061(1) FS. History–New 7-20-09.

The Defendant explained it and he posted emails from the FBAR several times.

I hear that kinda stuff causes millions of $$$$$ in damages, but I ain't buying it.

Items aren't the issue. Seafarer also has to file periodic reports and track progress.

I hope this helped.