Experts believe they have found Columbus's Santa Maria

Over the past few years, the team used magnetometers and other instruments to try and locate the Santa Maria near the Haitian coast.

"We've informed the Haitian government of our discovery -- and we are looking forward to working with them and other Haitian colleagues to ensure that the site is fully protected and preserved. It will be a wonderful opportunity to work with the Haitian authorities to preserve the evidence and artifacts of the ship that changed the world," Clifford said.

He expressed confidence that once excavations are made -- and depending on the condition of the waterlogged wood -- it might ultimately be possible to bring the remains of the boat to the surface so that it may later be displayed in a museum in Haiti.

Columbus captained the Santa Maria, his flagship, on his 1492 voyage from Spain to the Caribbean at the behest of the Spanish crown seeking a new trade route to Asia, but -- after discovering the Americas lying in the way of further westward travel -- he was forced to abandon the vessel when it ran aground. The two other ships used on the mission were the Nina and the Pinta.

Clifford is one of the world's most experienced undersea explorers.