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Tragedy struck last week as a dive boat captain and shipwreck explorer lost his life during a deep-sea diving expedition off the coast of Massachusetts, according to his dive company’s announcement on Friday.
Joe Mazraani, aged 48, was on a diving mission about 200 miles offshore on the eastern edge of Georges Bank, exploring a shipwreck known as the Big Engine Steamer when the unfortunate incident occurred on July 29, as stated by Atlantic Wreck Salvage on Facebook.
The company emphasized that there were no signs of diver error or equipment failure, attributing Mazraani’s death to a suspected medical emergency. A comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mazraani’s passing is currently underway.
“Joe Mazraani was a remarkable individual,” wrote his wife and business partner, Jennifer Sellitti. “He was not only kind, compassionate, and generous, but also a mentor, student, friend, brother, son, and partner. Whether he was navigating the waters aboard D/V Tenacious, diving into perilous depths, or advocating for his clients in court, Joe inspired excellence in everyone around him. Sometimes he did so with a grumpy demeanor, but he always led by example.”
Joe Mazraani, 48, was described as “larger-than-life” with a love of exploration. He was also a criminal defense attorney who recently secured the release of a man wrongfully convicted of murder. (D/V Tenacious/Facebook)
Sellitti, a well-known public defender in New Jersey, co-owned Atlantic Wreck Salvage with Mazraani, who also had a legal background as a criminal defense attorney.
“I cherished Joe deeply, and his love for me was just as profound,” expressed Sellitti. “We were partners in all aspects of life, especially in this venture.”
Joe Mazraani and his wife, Jennifer Selliti, co-owned Atlantic Wreck Salvage. (Jennifer Sellitti/Facebook)
Originally from Lebanon, Mazraani moved to the U.S. at the age of 15, as detailed on his company’s website. He obtained his certification as a diver in the mid-1990s, focusing on exploring sunken wrecks off the Northeast U.S. coast and developing a keen interest in delving into the submerged vessels near New York Harbor.
His diving expeditions also included trips to the Italian liner SS Andrea Doria, as well as explorations of the wrecks of HMHS Britannic and RMS Lusitania, among others.
Aside from his diving endeavors, Mazraani made a significant impact as a defense attorney, notably securing the release of Timothy Puskas in 2024 after Puskas had been wrongly convicted in the murder case of former Rutgers student William McCaw. Puskas had already served a decade of a 40-year sentence when Mazraani successfully obtained his exoneration.
The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender paid tribute to Mazraani in an online statement.
“Joe was a larger-than-life figure: fearless, kind, and deeply devoted to justice,” stated the tribute. “Our thoughts are with the Public Defender and his loved ones during this difficult time.”
