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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.
David Doubilet has a long and intimate view of the sea. As a National Geographic Photographer he has spent five decades exploring and documenting the far corners of the world from beneath interior Africa, remote tropical coral reefs, rich temperate seas, and recent projects beneath the polar ice. His challenge is to create a visual voice for the world’s oceans and to connect people to the incredible beauty and silent devastation happening within the invisible world below. “I have spent 6 decades in the sea and I am still humbled by the magnificence and richness of coral reef ecosystems. They are the true crown jewels of our planet.” David is a contributing editor for several publications and an author of 12 titles including the award-winning Water Light Time. His numerous photographic awards include Picture of the Year, BBC Wildlife, Communication Arts, and World Press. David is a member of the Academy of Achievement, Royal Photographic Society, International League of Conservation Photographers, and International Diving Hall of Fame. David was named a National Geographic Contributing Photographer-in-Residence in 2001. He is the recipient of the Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Award and Lennart Nilsson Award for Scientific Photography. David is honored to be a Rolex Testimonee since 1994.
The Sea Rovers proudly announce that Zac Carvahlo of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts is the 2026 Boston Sea Rovers Annual Summer Intern. Currently a student at Manchester Essex Regional High School, Zac is planning to major in a marine discipline and has applied to the University of Rhode Island, the University of Massachusetts, Rhode Island School of Design, and Tufts University. His interests are photography, marine engineering, submersible design/operation, and marine biology. Zac holds Openwater and Dry Suit certifications, has worked as a carpenter, and operates his own photography business.
