Renowned shipwreck explorer and criminal defense attorney Joe Mazraani has tragically died during a deep-sea dive to a historic shipwreck off Georges Bank.

The close-knit community of shipwreck explorers and legal professionals is mourning the unexpected death of Joe Mazraani, a renowned

deep-sea diver, passionate maritime historian, and criminal defense attorney, who tragically passed away during a deep-water expedition off the coast of New England. He was 47.

Mazraani died on July 29, 2025, while diving to the site of a remote shipwreck known as “The Big Engine Steamer,” located approximately 200 miles offshore near the eastern edge of Georges Bank.

The expedition was being conducted from aboard his trusted vessel, the D/V *Tenacious*, a dive boat he personally acquired and outfitted to withstand the harsh conditions of the North Atlantic.

The dive was part of a larger historical salvage project overseen by his company, Atlantic Wreck Salvage, which he co-owned with his wife, Jennifer Sellitti—New Jersey’s Public Defender and one of the state’s most respected legal voices.

Jennifer Sellitti, who was on the vessel when the incident occurred, has not made a public statement yet, but her office confirmed that she was present at the time of her husband’s fatal dive.

In a statement released by Atlantic Wreck Salvage, the team expressed deep sorrow, calling Mazraani “larger than life,” adding, “He was kind, compassionate, and generous. A mentor and a student, a friend, brother, son, and partner.”

While the exact cause of his death has not yet been made public, the company emphasized that a full investigation is underway and that, at this time, there is “no reason to suspect diver error or equipment failure.”

The final photo shared of Mazraani shows him standing silently at the bow of *Tenacious*, gazing out at the vast ocean. His expression, calm and focused, now carries a haunting weight.

Those who knew him say that image perfectly captures his essence: a man perpetually drawn to the mysteries beneath the surface, equally comfortable navigating legal arguments in court or the rusting remains of lost ships on the ocean floor.

Born in Lebanon, Mazraani immigrated to the United States at the age of 15 and quickly found a passion for exploration. He became a certified diver in the mid-1990s and soon began focusing on wreck diving along the Northeast coast.

His curiosity turned into a full-blown obsession with maritime history. He spent decades uncovering, documenting, and preserving shipwrecks—many of them forgotten relics lying deep off the coast of New York and New Jersey.

His dive log included some of the most iconic names in maritime disaster: the RMS *Lusitania*, the British hospital ship HMHS *Britannic* (sister ship of the *Titanic*), and the luxury Italian liner *SS Andrea Doria*.

One of his most prominent achievements was leading expeditions to the German U-boat *U-550*, one of the most elusive and historically significant wrecks from World War II.

“Shipwreck exploration is a way of life for Joe,” his official biography once stated. “He operates *Tenacious*, which was specifically acquired and outfitted to accomplish several projects, including locating and exploring deep, uncharted wrecks in the North Atlantic.”

But Mazraani wasn’t only a figure of the sea. On land, he was known as a fierce and brilliant criminal defense lawyer.

Colleagues in the New Jersey legal world described him as deeply principled, tireless in his advocacy, and unafraid to go head-to-head with institutions much larger than himself.

“Whether motoring aboard *Tenacious*, diving into deep and dangerous water, or defending his clients in court,” his team recalled, “Joe demanded the best of everyone around him. Sometimes he demanded it grumpily—but he always demanded by example.”

His dual passions—diving and law—were often described as opposite yet deeply connected. Both demanded discipline, risk-taking, and relentless attention to detail.

According to those close to him, Mazraani thrived when confronting the unknown, whether it was piecing together legal puzzles or following sonar signals toward rusted hulls lying hundreds of feet below.

He was an associate member of the prestigious Boston Sea Rovers, a nonprofit organization committed to marine education and conservation.

His work helped preserve maritime history and shed light on important naval events long buried beneath the waves. But more than that, he inspired a new generation of wreck divers through mentorship, training, and storytelling.

“Joe didn’t just dive,” a fellow diver who had worked with him on several expeditions shared.

“He listened to the shipwrecks. Every rusted bolt, every twisted beam told him a story. He never treated a dive like a thrill ride—it was always an act of respect, of learning. He was a historian of the sea.”

The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender publicly honored him with a heartfelt tribute: “With deep sadness, we share the loss of Joe Mazraani, beloved partner of Public Defender Sellitti and a cherished member of the legal and diving communities.”

Mazraani’s death has left a hole in two very different but equally devoted circles. In the courtroom, he was a fearless advocate. In the water, a quiet explorer of the forgotten. Above all, he was a husband, a partner, and a man who lived his life with passion and precision.

As his team mourns, they continue to maintain the D/V *Tenacious*, unsure yet whether it will sail again. “Joe was the soul of our operation,” one crewmember said. “It’s hard to imagine the ship without him.”

No funeral arrangements have been announced yet. The investigation into his death is still ongoing.

What remains, however, is the legacy of a man who, in chasing ghosts beneath the ocean, reminded those around him how to live boldly, love fiercely, and never stop exploring.