Shipwreck explorer died during a deep-sea diving expedition in the Atlantic: this is what is known

Joe Mazraani , 47, a renowned shipwreck explorer and criminal lawyer, died on July 29 while diving to the wreck of the “Big Engine Steamer,” located about 200 miles offshore on the eastern edge of Georges Bank in the North Atlantic.

The information was confirmed by his company, Atlantic Wreck Salvage , dedicated to marine exploration and salvage.

The company reported that a full investigation into the incident is underway and asserted that "there is no reason to suspect diver error or equipment failure." The exact cause of death has not been revealed.

Mazraani co-owned Atlantic Wreck Salvage with his wife, Jennifer Sellitti, a New Jersey public defender who was aboard the ship during the expedition. In addition to his work as an underwater explorer, Mazraani also practiced criminal defense.

Born in Lebanon, he immigrated to the United States at age 15. In the mid-1990s, he earned his diving certification and, according to his company's website, "quickly began diving sunken shipwrecks off the northeast coast of the U.S. and immediately developed an obsession with exploring the sunken hulks that litter the approaches to New York Harbor."

His biography described him as someone for whom "wreck exploration is a way of life." He was president of Atlantic Wreck Salvage and operated the ship D/V Tenacious , which was acquired and outfitted specifically to carry out various projects, including the location and exploration of the U-550 and other deep, uncharted wrecks in the North Atlantic.

Mazraani also led expeditions to the Italian ocean liner SS Andrea Doria and dived the wrecks of the HMHS Britannic (sister ship to the Titanic) and the RMS Lusitania.

Atlantic Wreck Salvage released a final image of Mazraani on the bow of the D/V Tenacious, taken before her death. In a statement, the company said:

"Joe Mazraani was an exceptional person. He was kind, compassionate, and generous. A mentor and student, friend, brother, son, and colleague."

"Whether sailing aboard the D/V Tenacious, diving in deep and dangerous waters, or defending his clients in court, Joe demanded the best from everyone around him. Sometimes he demanded it reluctantly, but he always demanded it by example."

Following his passing, the New Jersey Public Defender's Office also paid tribute to him through a social media post:

“It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of Joe Mazraani, a beloved partner of Public Defender Sellitti and a beloved member of the legal and diving communities.”

"Joe was an exceptional person: brave, kind, and deeply committed to justice. We are deeply saddened by the Public Defender and his loved ones."

Mazraani was also an associate member of Boston Sea Rovers , a non-profit organization focused on marine conservation and education.

*This content was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on publicly available information released to media outlets. It was also reviewed by the journalist and an editor.