RMSTI has to 'maintain a presence at the wreck' to maintain salvor rights. The company under Tulloch has attempted to visit the site every two years for expeditions. There is no 'every year' mandate.
At the end of 1999, Tulloch fell victim to a hostile takeover. The legitimacy of that takeover has been questioned and is under investigation by officials. Joe Marsh, the major shareholder, and others publicly made statements that implied about selling the artifacts. These did not bide well with Judge Clarke. This led to Judge Clarke's order on 7/28/00 that the bow should be left alone. Also, statements were made, and a document produced dealing with dive objectives of the expedition. This included an anchor, mail from the mail room, and many targets on the bow.
Oceaneering, Inc. had the Magellan ROV at the site. It had worked on the 98 expedition. The Keldysh somehow backed up over Magellan's tether and caused it to be inoperable. Oceaneering was 'dismissed' and sent home. Oceaneering had specific clauses in its contract about penetration of the wreck, and is suing for the balance owed to them for breach of contract. This is almost $900,000.
Geller stated in court, under oath, in March, that he had enough $$ to finance a $5 million expedition by being able to 'write a check for the entire amount' (paraphrased). The expedition only cost $2 million, and $250,000 had to be borrowed from a private source at an unusual rate to pay the Russians. They stopped mid-ocean and refused to move further until they received confirmation of a wire transfer of the owed funds. They were promised a bonus, which they did not receive.
Basically, it was a mess. Harris was fired near the end of the expedition, and Barton took over. In the terms of several from the ship, they were literally held prisoner and treated as such by Barton.
Plus, read the Der Spiegel account of what happened. Michaela Schiessel (forgive the spelling) had a third party account of what happened. If you are interested, and can't find it, email me off board and I'll forward a copy to you.
This is just the beginning. It got much worse.
Bill