RENOWNED SHIPWRECK DIVER & TREASURE HUNTER CARL ‘FIZZ’ FISMER PASSES AWAY

a man in a wet suit holding a scuba pole in the water
Known as ‘Fizz,’ Carl Fismer explores the depths with a metal detector. CONTRIBUTED

​​Capt. Carl Edward Fismer III, a local legend affectionately known as “Fizz,” passed away on Aug. 21, 2024. He lived for many years in the Florida Keys. He was a shipwreck diver and treasure finder.  

Fismer, who was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on Oct. 30, 1938, was 85.

He started his treasure-finding career working with the father of modern-day treasure diving, Art McKee. Capt. Fizz also worked for Mel Fisher and Treasure Salvors for more than a decade.  

Fismer was always diving and treasure finding, working on leads for the next big ship. Fizz shared his love of maritime history with people, lecturing around the country. He was part of the television show “Treasure Divers” and appeared as a treasure and coin expert on several shows, including “Pawn Stars,” and on the History Channel.  

He was often called by famous writers, actors and directors to consult about maritime history and wreck diving on documentaries and on shows alike. One of Capt. Fizz’s favorite dives was when he got to take out Arthur C. Clarke (yes, the Arthur C. Clarke of “Space Odyssey” fame) off Sri Lanka, the island nation off India. 

Fismer was a big part of our community; he gave lectures with local historical groups and schools all along the Keys. His wife, Scooter, was head emergency room nurse at Baptist Health South Florida’s Mariners Hospital. Before he moved to the Keys, he was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, a firefighter and EMT for the Sarasota City Fire Department. Above all things, Fismer was a patriot and family man. 

With Carl’s passing, we lost another keeper of our local history and Spanish Main. He was one of the last remaining with knowledge of diving before it became scuba and a sport. Capt. Fizz was best friends with another local historical legend, longtime Islamorada resident and archival researcher Jack Haskins, who died in 2012 at the age of 84. Haskins and Fismer were war veterans (Haskins during World War II and Fismer during the Korean War).

After moving in 1980 to the Florida Keys, which he said God created to take his own vacations, Fismer embarked on what would become his most thrilling career — becoming a shipwreck diver and treasure finder. His adventures took him around the world, exploring more than 100 ancient shipwrecks and recovering treasures from the sea. Some notable shipwreck sites he dove over were the 1733 fleet off the Florida Keys, the 1715 fleet off Fort Pierce, the San Josef off Panama and the Concepcion off the Dominican Republic. 

Fismer’s passion for maritime history was shared through hundreds of lectures and fundraisers across the country, appearing as “Everyone’s Favorite Pirate,” captivating audiences with tales of sunken treasures and a pirate hat to match.

Beyond his professional life, he was a staunch supporter of the U.S. Constitution and a beloved figure in his community known for his generosity, wicked sense of humor and ability to see the positive in every situation. He loved all animals: turtles, dogs, raccoons and birds — he rescued many. His personality was larger than life; he never met a stranger. He was a treasure to his friends and family, always ready with a joke or a helping hand, all the way to the end.

Fismer knew so many stories, not only about history and the Spanish fleets that would travel by our islands, but also about a time in the Keys when it was more like old Florida.  My hope is that in his hundreds of lectures around the country, people remembered them and keep sharing the adventures of wreck diving, the Spanish Main and old Florida. 

To dive deeper into Capt. Fizz’ adventurous life, check out his self-authored book “Uncharted Waters.”

A memorial service was held at Sun City Center Funeral Home on Sept. 3. He was  buried at Sarasota National Cemetery.

William DePaula
William DePaula is an artist, designer and gemologist who believes in the power of art. From his early childhood onward, he has never stopped drawing, painting and creating. He envisions a world in which beauty is as important as function, where culture and history are respected, and where nature is at once powerful and vulnerable. Infusing an essence of life in all his paintings, DePaula understands beauty is accessible to all. DePaula's art has been featured in select art museums around the world.