Anchored in History: The Underwater Discovery That Confirms St Paul’s Voyage
On the morning of Sunday, 24 April 2005, the author accidentally discovered an ancient Roman anchor—a lead anchor stock—while scuba diving with friends. The anchor bore the embossed names of the Egyptian gods ISIS∼SARAPIS.
Thirty years after the crucifixion of JESUS CHRIST, Paul the Apostle and another 275 men astonishingly survive their ship being wrecked in a violent storm on their journey to Rome.
The exact location of this shipwreck, although described at length in the Acts of the Apostles, has been argued over for centuries and remains a mystery to this day, Or does it…
Buy Now In Malta
The title of the book available in Malta is PAVLVS: The shipwreck 60 AD, with “PAVLVS” written in Latin font (i.e., using the classical Roman spelling with a “V” instead of a “U”).
Also available in paperback at the Wignacourt Museum in Rabat, and the Malta National Aquarium in Qawra.
PAVLVS Documentary
A 52-minute documentary DVD is available for sale at the Wignacourt Museum in Rabat and the Malta National Aquarium in Qawra, or directly by post from the author.
PAVLVS TOURS IN MALTA
The author offers to accompany guided tours for a modest fee and share his research on the voyage and shipwreck of the Apostle Paul on our shores. These tours typically begin with an evening lecture, followed the next morning by a boat trip to St Paul’s Islands and the site where artefacts were discovered on the seabed. The itinerary continues with a visit to San Pawl Milqi—a Roman-period villa and factory primarily used for olive oil production—and concludes at the Wignacourt Museum, which features St Paul’s Grotto, Roman catacombs, wartime shelters, and a full replica of the ISIS∼SARAPIS anchor used during filming.
For more details…
Contact:
Mark Gatt
+356 79582482
About the author
Mark Gatt
Mark Gatt is a Maltese researcher, writer, and lifelong volunteer with over 30 years of dedicated voluntary service in Civil Protection. He has actively participated in, and often led scuba diving teams in search and rescue operations for missing persons at sea.
Beyond emergency response, Mark is deeply committed to preserving Malta’s cultural and historical heritage. He is internationally recognised for his research into the voyage and shipwreck of Apostle Paul in 60 AD.
Mark’s passion for service also extends to the vulnerable. He plays an active role in parish-based outreach programmes, focusing on food distribution and social care initiatives that address poverty and social exclusion. His efforts bridge compassion and action, driven by a strong sense of duty toward those on the margins.
Currently pursuing postgraduate studies in social care, focusing on refugee integration and diaspora experiences, Mark combines academic insight with lived community engagement. His work reflects a deep belief in the power of history, service, and solidarity to shape more compassionate societies.
Book blurb by Biblical scholar, Paul Guillaumier
Testimonials:
https://holylandphotos.wordpress.com/tag/mark-gatt/
https://timesofmalta.com/article/weighing-up-the-anchor.349229
https://www.gratis-webserver.de/mhesemann//3.html
https://thinkmagazine.mt/tag/mark-gatt/
https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/49360/divers_documentary_shines_spotlight_on_st_paul
https://timesofmalta.com/article/st-pauls-anchor.32696
https://www.lifeandland.org/category/pauls-shipwreck-on-malta/
https://www.lifeandland.org/author/gordon-franz/page/7/
https://timesofmalta.com/article/Site-of-St-Paul-s-shipwreck.640015
https://www.leslieleylandfields.com/blog/2018/1/14/0q9n7cdgli12y8x1esrqlnxjibhrs0
Gallery
Intrigued by the significance of this find, especially considering the dive site’s location and the inscriptions on the anchor, the author began researching its historical context. This investigation led to a discovery even more remarkable than the anchor itself—insights into the mechanism that brought the ship carrying the Apostle Paul to Malta’s shores. It was undoubtedly God’s will that the Maltese would hear the Good News of salvation through Jesus, preached by the Apostle to the Gentiles, in the earliest days of Christianity. But what caused the ship to veer in a more northerly direction during a Gregale—a fierce north-easterly storm?
stpaulshipwreck 