# Who would own the wreck if it were found? · Flor de la Mar > Four answers have been proposed. Indonesia, as the coastal state in whose territorial waters the wreck lies. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/flor-de-la-mar/questions/QST0D2BHK2C1M60/who-would-own-the-wreck-if-it-were-found Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:25+00:00 --- **0** # Who would own the wreck if it were found? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Where did the Flor de la Mar go down?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/flor-de-la-mar/questions/QST0D2BHJJR6EAM/where-did-the-flor-de-la-mar-go-down)·4 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: portugal, as flag state of a royal vessel, under the 2001 Convention's rules and sovereign immunity** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Four answers have been proposed. Indonesia, as the coastal state in whose territorial waters the wreck lies. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Three are still possible. ## Why it matters Three states assert rights and only one is party to the treaty that governs such wrecks; the answer decides whether a find is excavated, salvaged or left⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D2BHCZ24YPV/convention-on-the-protection-of-the-underwater-cultural)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D2BHD6W21AT/flor-de-la-mar). ## Answers 4 [**Indonesia, as the coastal state in whose territorial waters the wreck lies.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/flor-de-la-mar/answers/ANS0D2BHPQJ5GHA/indonesia-as-the-coastal-state-in-whose-territorial-waters) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**Portugal, as flag state of a royal vessel, under the 2001 Convention's rules and sovereign immunity.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/flor-de-la-mar/answers/ANS0D2BHP7Y07X8/portugal-as-flag-state-of-a-royal-vessel-under-the-2001) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**Malaysia, as successor to the Malacca sultanate whose treasure the cargo was.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/flor-de-la-mar/answers/ANS0D2BHQ760XC6/malaysia-as-successor-to-the-malacca-sultanate-whose) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for Still possible [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/flor-de-la-mar/answers/ANS0D2BHQPT67RG/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 2001[UNESCO puts forward: portugal, as flag state of a royal vessel, under the 2001 Convention's rules and sovereign immunity.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D2BHCZ24YPV/convention-on-the-protection-of-the-underwater-cultural) 1. 2001[UNESCO: portugal is a party to the 2001 Convention; Indonesia and Malaysia are not listed as parties.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D2BHCZ24YPV/convention-on-the-protection-of-the-underwater-cultural)For: Portugal, as flag state of a royal vessel, under the 2001 Convention's rules and sovereign immunity. 1. 2020[Perbadanan Muzium Melaka: malaysia maintains a replica-ship museum at Malacca and asserts the cargo as Malaccan heritage.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D2BHDEP3FN8/muzium-samudera-flor-de-la-mar)For: Malaysia, as successor to the Malacca sultanate whose treasure the cargo was. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/flor-de-la-mar/questions/QST0D2BHK2C1M60/who-would-own-the-wreck-if-it-were-found%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/flor-de-la-mar/questions/QST0D2BHK2C1M60/who-would-own-the-wreck-if-it-were-found%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/flor-de-la-mar/questions/QST0D2BHK2C1M60/who-would-own-the-wreck-if-it-were-found%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/flor-de-la-mar/questions/QST0D2BHK2C1M60/who-would-own-the-wreck-if-it-were-found%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/flor-de-la-mar/questions/QST0D2BHK2C1M60/who-would-own-the-wreck-if-it-were-found%23add-source) Where it fits Flor de la Mar [**Where did the Flor de la Mar go down?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/flor-de-la-mar/questions/QST0D2BHJJR6EAM/where-did-the-flor-de-la-mar-go-down)Key question · most likely on shoals off the kingdom of Aru, south-east of Pasai, on the night of 20 November 1511 (the modern… **Who would own the wreck if it were found?** You're here · portugal, as flag state of a royal vessel, under the 2001 Convention's rules and sovereign immunity [ Ask a question under this one ]