Latest news with #JoeMazraani
The Independent
05-08-2025
- The Independent
Shipwreck explorer Joe Mazraani dies on deep-sea dive to find lost Atlantic steamer
A respected scuba diver and shipwreck explorer died after a 'medical emergency' during a deep-sea expedition off the coast of Cape Cod. Joe Mazraani, a 48-year-old criminal defense attorney from New Jersey, was exploring a wreck 200 miles off the Massachusetts coast aboard his vessel, the D/V Tenacious, when disaster struck last Tuesday on the eastern edge of Georges Bank. The dive team was able to pull Mazraani back on board the boat before administering CPR, but were unable to revive him, his wife Jennifer Sellitti said in a statement on behalf of their company Atlantic Wreck Salvage. Mazraani's cause of death was not immediately clear. Sellitti, a top New Jersey public defender, said that a full investigation is underway and there is currently 'no reason to suspect diver error or equipment failure.' Mazraani had set out to identify a lost Atlantic steam ship submerged in 200ft of water called the 'Big Engine Steamer.' The wreck had been discovered previously during a search for Le Lyonnais, a French steam ship that sank in 1856, whose story was documented by Sellitti's recently published book The Adriatic Affair. Sellitti was reportedly on the boat when her husband died. 'He was kind, compassionate, and generous. A mentor and a student, a friend, brother, son, and partner,' she wrote. 'Whether motoring aboard D/V Tenacious, diving into deep and dangerous water, or defending his clients in court, Joe demanded the best of everyone around him.' 'I loved Joe fiercely, and he loved me back just the same. We were partners in everything—especially this,' Sellitti concluded. The New Jersey State Office of the Public Defender paid tribute on Instagram, mourning the loss of the 'cherished member of the legal and diving communities' alongside a photograph of Mazraani and Sellitti. After becoming a certified diver in the mid-90s, the Lebanese native had led dives to some of the hardest-to-reach wrecks on the Atlantic seaboard. The explorer used the DV Tenacious to locate several lost vessels in the North Atlantic, including the German submarine U-550, which was sunk off the coast of Nantucket in 1944 by U.S. Navy battleships. Mazraani also led expeditions to the SS Andrea Doria, RMS Lusitania, and HMHS Britannic, the sister-ship to the Titanic. Both Mazraania and Sellitti are U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains, according to their company's website. In his legal career, Mazraani co-founded the law firm Mazraani & Liguori LLP in 2006 after graduating from Seton Hall Law School in Newark. Mazraani helped free Timothy Puskas in 2024, who had served 10 years of a 40-year sentence when he was exonerated after being wrongly convicted for the 2014 murder of former Rutgers University student William McCaw.
International Business Times
05-08-2025
- International Business Times
How Did Joe Mazraani Die? Shipwreck Explorer and Husband of Top New Jersey Lawyer Dies Suddenly During Deep-Sea Diving Expedition
A prominent shipwreck diver, who was married to a top attorney from New Jersey, died while on a deep-sea diving expedition. Joe Mazraani, 47, suffered a fatal emergency on July 29 during a dive to the wreck of "the Big Engine Steamer," located 200 miles off the coast on the eastern edge of Georges Bank, according to his company, Atlantic Wreck Salvage. The company did not reveal the cause of death in its announcement. However, the company said that a full investigation is underway and stated that there is "no reason to suspect diver error or equipment failure." Police have also yet to share further details on Mazraani's sudden death. Unexpected Death Joe Mazraani X "Joe Mazraani was larger than life. He was kind, compassionate, and generous. A mentor and a student, a friend, brother, son, and partner," Atlantic Wreck Salvage shared. "Whether motoring aboard D/V Tenacious, diving into deep and dangerous water, or defending his clients in court, Joe demanded the best of everyone around him. Sometimes he demanded it grumpily — but he always demanded by example." Joe Mazraani's final photo before his death X Mazraani, who was also a criminal defense lawyer, co-founded Atlantic Wreck Salvage with his wife, Jennifer Sellitti, a public defender in New Jersey. Sellitti revealed that she was onboard the vessel at the time of her husband's death. Atlantic Wreck Salvage shared a final photo of Mazraani standing at the bow of the D/V Tenacious, the vessel he used for underwater exploration and historical salvage work, shortly before his death. According to the company's website, Mazraani was born in Lebanon and moved to the United States at the age of 15. A Star in His Own Right He became a certified diver in the mid-1990s and quickly developed a passion for exploring shipwrecks along the Northeast U.S. coastline, becoming deeply fascinated with the sunken vessels scattered near the entrance to New York Harbor. Joe Mazraani with his lawyer wife Jennifer Sellitti Facebook "Shipwreck exploration is a way of life for Joe," his bio reads. "He is president of Atlantic Wreck Salvage and operates the dive vessel 'Tenacious,' which was specifically acquired and outfitted to accomplish several projects, including locating and exploring U-550 and other deep, uncharted wrecks in the North Atlantic," his bio reads. Mazraani also led expeditions to the famed Italian ocean liner SS Andrea Doria and had explored the wrecks of the HMHS Britannic, the Titanic's sister ship, as well as the RMS Lusitania. Joe Mazraani with Jennifer Sellitti Facebook The beloved captain was honored with associate membership in the Boston Sea Rovers, a nonprofit focused on ocean conservation and marine education. The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender paid tribute to Mazraani on Friday following his death. "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," the office wrote on Facebook. "Joe was larger than life: fearless, kind, and deeply committed to justice. Our hearts are with the Public Defender and his loved ones."
The Irish Sun
05-08-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Shipwreck explorer Joe Mazraani, 47, dies while on wreck diving expedition as pals battled to save him
SEA TRAGEDY Shipwreck explorer Joe Mazraani, 47, dies while on wreck diving expedition as pals battled to save him A SHIPWRECK explorer has died on a wreck diving expedition as his pals battled to save him. Joe Mazraanie, 48, was diving to the The Big Engine Steamer skipwreck off Cape Cod, Massachusetts when he got into trouble. He was diving with a group from his boat on 29 July when he reportedly suffered a medical emergency. Other divers rushed to get him back to the boat and perform first aid on the 48-year-old but were unable to save him. His cause of death has not yet been revealed as full investigation remains ongoing. In a statement, his firm said there is "no reason to suspect diver or equipment failure."
Scottish Sun
05-08-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Shipwreck explorer Joe Mazraani, 47, dies while on wreck diving expedition as pals battled to save him
SEA TRAGEDY Shipwreck explorer Joe Mazraani, 47, dies while on wreck diving expedition as pals battled to save him Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SHIPWRECK explorer has died on a wreck diving expedition as his pals battled to save him. Joe Mazraanie, 48, was diving to the The Big Engine Steamer skipwreck off Cape Cod, Massachusetts when he got into trouble. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up He was diving with a group from his boat on 29 July when he reportedly suffered a medical emergency. Other divers rushed to get him back to the boat and perform first aid on the 48-year-old but were unable to save him. His cause of death has not yet been revealed as full investigation remains ongoing. In a statement, his firm said there is "no reason to suspect diver or equipment failure."
New York Post
05-08-2025
- New York Post
Beloved shipwreck explorer and husband of top NJ lawyer dies during deep sea dive
A prominent shipwreck explorer and husband of one of New Jersey's top attorneys died during a deep-sea diving expedition. Joe Mazraani, 47, suffered the emergency on July 29 while diving to the shipwreck of 'The Big Engine Steamer,' 200 miles offshore on the eastern edge of Georges Bank, according to his company, Atlantic Wreck Salvage. His cause of death was not revealed at the time of the company's announcement. 4 Mazraani suffered the emergency on July 29 while diving to the shipwreck of 'The Big Engine Steamer.' D/V Tenacious However, they stated that a full investigation is ongoing and currently have 'no reason to suspect diver error or equipment failure.' 'Joe Mazraani was larger than life. He was kind, compassionate, and generous. A mentor and a student, a friend, brother, son, and partner,' Atlantic Wreck Salvage shared. 'Whether motoring aboard D/V Tenacious, diving into deep and dangerous water, or defending his clients in court, Joe demanded the best of everyone around him. Sometimes he demanded it grumpily—but he always demanded by example.' Mazraani co-owned Atlantic Wreck Salvage with his wife, New Jersey Public Defender Jennifer Sellitti. He was also a criminal defense lawyer by trade. Sellitti said she was on the boat when her husband died. 4 Joe Mazraani and wife Jennifer Sellitti. Facebook Atlantic Wreck Salvage shared a final photo of Mazraani at the bow of D/V Tenacious, the boat he used for exploration and historical marine salvage, before his death. Mazraani was born in Lebanon and immigrated to the US when he was 15, according to his company's website. In the mid-90s, he became a certified diver and 'quickly took to diving sunken wrecks off the Northeast US coast and instantly developed an obsession with exploring the sunken hulks that litter the approaches to New York Harbor.' 4 Mazraani co-owned Atlantic Wreck Salvage with Sellitti. Facebook 'Shipwreck exploration is a way of life for Joe,' his bio reads. 'He is president of Atlantic Wreck Salvage and operates the dive vessel 'Tenacious,' which was specifically acquired and outfitted to accomplish several projects, including locating and exploring U-550 and other deep, uncharted wrecks in the North Atlantic,' his bio reads. Mazraani also led the expeditions to the famed 'Italian liner SS Andrea Doria and has dived the wrecks of HMHS Britannic, sister ship of Titanic, and RMS Lusitania.' 4 Mazraani was also a criminal defense lawyer by trade. Facebook The beloved captain was inducted as an associate member of the Boston Sea Rovers — a non-profit organization dedicated to marine conservation and education. The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender paid tribute to Mazraani on Friday following his death. '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,' the office wrote on Facebook. 'Joe was larger than life: fearless, kind, and deeply committed to justice. Our hearts are with the Public Defender and his loved ones.'
