Our 2026 Boston Sea Rover Diver of the Year is Joseph M. Mazraani, who unfortunately passed away on July 29, 2025, during a shipwreck dive on the eastern edge of Georges Bank. He was a renowned attorney, explorer, and captain, whose life was defined by fearless advocacy, relentless curiosity, and a profound love of the ocean, and we are extremely sad to have to present this award posthumously. Joe was known as one of the world’s leading shipwreck hunters and technical divers and will be remembered as one of the great East Coast dive boat captains. He was first certified in the mid-1990s and soon began exploring wrecks along the Northeast coast. In 2010, he founded Atlantic Wreck Salvage and acquired his own vessel, D/V Tenacious, which he outfitted for ambitious deep-water expeditions.

Joe led numerous projects, from raising historical artifacts to searching for and documenting wrecks in the North Atlantic. Together with his avid team, they discovered deep, uncharted wrecks far offshore, with a shared mission of documenting shipwrecks on Georges Bank, more than 150 miles from land. In 2024, their team discovered the wreck of the 1855 passenger steamship Le Lyonnais, the WWI-era steam trawler Seiner, and another unidentified steamship. Joe died during a 2025 expedition aimed at identifying and documenting those sites.

His diving career was marked by memorable salvage efforts, technical dive expeditions, and remarkable firsts. He participated in and led international expeditions to HMHS Britannic (Titanic’s sister) and RMS Lusitania. His recoveries included SS Ayuruoca’s massive stern helm and steam whistles, SS Carolina’s telegraphs, and SS Andrea Doria’s foghorn and gyro compass repeater—to name a few. In May 2019, he discovered Britannic’s bell, which was raised in 2025 for preservation at the National Museum of Underwater Antiquities in Piraeus, Greece. In 2012, he and his team discovered the German submarine U-550, the last diveable U-boat resting in North Atlantic waters, as well as the stern of U-550’s last victim, SS Pan Pennsylvania; U-53’s final victim, SS West Point; the bow of MV Stockholm; and multiple historic motor vessels and steamships. Of utmost importance to Joe was inspiring the next generation of shipwreck divers. He was a proud member of the Boston Sea Rovers and a supporter of the New Jersey Maritime Museum. Joe left behind Jen, his soulmate and partner in Atlantic Wreck Salvage, and a devoted crew of divers who have vowed to carry on his work and preserve his legacy.

Maz was larger than life—kind, compassionate, and generous. A mentor and a student, a friend, brother, son, and partner. Whether motoring aboard D/V Tenacious, plunging into deep and dangerous waters, or defending his clients in court, he demanded the best of himself and those around him. Joe was always happy but never content—always pushing boundaries, including the ones he set for himself.

The Boston Sea Rovers are honored to make Joe our 2026 Diver of the Year, though we are saddened that he is no longer with us to accept our highest award, engraved is the following inscription:

2026 Walter Feinberg Memorial Diver of the Year Award Joe “Maz” Mazraani For Exploring the Great Depths Uncovering Wrecks Thought Lost Forever & Sharing These Discoveries With Those Who Would Never Dare.