True to his word, and remarkably, more than 30 years later Lundgren and his team from Ocean Discovery, Lundgren’s not-for-profit organization, discovered the shipwreck in May 2011, 447 years to the month from its sinking. It may prove to be one of the most significant maritime discoveries in history. Equally remarkable: though finding the Mars surely represents a career pinnacle, 44-year-old Lundgren and company have discovered more than 120 shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea since the late 90’s, arguably making him one of the most prolific shipwreck explorers of our times.

The discovery of Mars has not only lifted the city of Västervik to prominence as the base of an internationally reknown dive team but has also contributed a very exciting and important part to the history of the region—a history that the state is now in a position to research and highlight. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Västervik had one of the most significant naval and commercial shipyards in which many of the great ships of the era were built and launched.