Alejandro Mirabal Jorge

The Heritage Expeditions is a creation of Alejandro Mirabal, one of the most experienced maritime archaeologists and expedition leaders in the world and holder of the Guinness Record for Most Historical Shipwrecks Explored.

Born in Cuba in 1964, Alex Mirabal is a maritime archaeologist with a master's degree in marine biology. He has 32 years of field work experience across four different continents and is the author of several academic publications.

Following his childhood dreams, he has worked on more than 300 historical shipwrecks as an archaeologist, operations director, surveyor, and diver in Cuba, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia, England, Ecuador, and Nicaragua, accumulating more than 10,000 hours of diving.

From 1985 to 1998, he worked for a state archaeological organization in Cuba where, in addition to excavating a large number of the country's most significant historical wrecks, he co-directed and produced several documentaries and television series on the subject.

He also collaborated with the European Institute of Archaeology in the country's first large-scale geophysical study.

In 1998, he was the maritime archaeologist selected to represent Cuba's achievements in this field at EXPO'98, "The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future," a world's fair in Lisbon, Portugal.

From 1999 to mid-2015, Alex Mirabal worked for a Portuguese company as an archaeologist, where, in close collaboration with Dr. Margaret Rule (CBE, FSA) and the marine archaeological research unit at Oxford University (MARE), he developed the archaeological protocols to be followed in expeditions as well as the scientific publications of the documented shipwrecks.

In addition to his duties as the company's lead archaeologist, he was also the Chief Operating Officer (COO) responsible for the Company's marine archaeology expeditions and, based on his leadership skills, formed an efficient team of international experts. Working as a team leader in demanding environments, away from home for months at a time, most of the time in challenging situations, leading multicultural and multireligious teams, his life mission is to uncover centuries-old mysteries in the most remote places in the world responsibly.

Furthermore, Alex Mirabal has played a key role in disseminating scientific knowledge and raising awareness about the protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH), has given lectures on marine archaeology at prestigious institutions and universities in Cuba, Indonesia, and Austria, and has participated in scientific events in the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

During expeditions, he had the opportunity to work with some of the most notable figures in the field, such as the legendary Jacques Ives Cousteau, Franck Goddio, and Dr. Margaret Rule.

He regularly received visits from celebrities and influential people who wanted to learn more about responsible UCH management and the environment, such as Hollywood star and environmental activist Kevin Costner and World Formula One Champion Mika Häkkinen.

Alex Mirabal is a co-founder of a public benefit Foundation for the protection of UCH in the Netherlands, where he is Board Director and Chair of the Executive Committee.

Now, with The Heritage Expeditions, the pinnacle of his career, Alex Mirabal will continue his lifelong effort to protect Underwater Cultural Heritage as he likes to say, "one wreck at a time," thus giving a unique opportunity to interested individuals and small groups to share that vast experience and be part of the adventure.